Published 2 October 2017
Buckie Got It, St. Kitts and Nevis News Source
U.S. media highlights another contradictory statement by PM Harris on the hurricane recovery slush fund
TEXAS, U.S.A. OCTOBER 2ND 2017 – The Texas-based Caribbean News Now has highlighted another contradictory statement from St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris on the new option in the Citizenship by Investment Programme which the opposition regards as a Harris Re-election slush fund.
Caribbean News Now pointed out Monday that in its latest attempt at damage control, Dr. Harris claimed on Saturday that the new hurricane fund is not, after all, designed to benefit St Kitts and Nevis exclusively, but also “to provide additional support for disaster relief efforts in nearby islands which suffered far greater damage.”
Caribbean News Now noted that the St Kitts and Nevis government has issued a number of contradictory press statements on the issue, first of all claiming that the required total contribution remained the same, namely, US$250,000 for a single applicant and US$300,000 for a family of four to be paid into the Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation (SIDF), with a “proportion” going to the new HRF.
“Then, in a notice to agents, it stated that the new contribution requirement of $150,000 would be paid to the new fund as a third investment option, with no reference to the SIDF,” Caribbean News Now stated.
It noted another position of the government in that “an as yet undisclosed “proportion” of the $150,000 payment would be placed in the new hurricane fund, but has so far failed to answer questions as to the exact amount of this “proportion” or where the remaining funds would be paid.
There has been widespread condemnation of Prime Minister Harris’ decision.
Leader of the Opposition and former prime minister, the Right Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas has described it as “unconscionable, unfriendly, selfish, uncaring and reprehensible” aimed at undermining the efforts of Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda to recover from the massive devastation caused by Hurricanes Maria and Irma.”
He also said that the new option lacks the necessary legislative backing, lacks the appropriate oversight as was the case with the SIDF and creates a slush fund.
Opposition politician Dr. Terrance Drew said he is in agreement with critics who claim the substantially reduced contribution level is designed to undermine hurricane-ravaged Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica, both of which have similar citizenship by investment programmes.
“It’s like having a brother who unfortunately is down at the moment and although you pretend to give a helping hand, has a knife stuck in the back of that same brother,” Drew said. “It is like taking advantage of the unfortunate circumstances of Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda.”
Mahdi Mohammed, CEO of Guide Consultants has described Dr. Harris’ decision as “shameful.”
“This is simply a ploy, a blatantly opportunistic move to improve the competitiveness of the St. Kitts and Nevis CBI programme at the expense of their Caribbean neighbours. Dominica has lost every source of government revenue except its CBI programme and St. Kitts and Nevis is attempting to undermine even that,” Mohammed said.
Antigua and Barbuda’s ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders, said the action by Dr. Harris “is a most unfortunate development. If it is implemented, it will hurt the relief and rebuilding efforts for Barbuda and Dominica, both of which were devastated. What is needed now is solidarity and joint action, not opportunism. It is to be sincerely hoped, that the decision will be reviewed and overturned in the interest of solidarity with neighbouring states that are truly struggling in the wake of these monstrous hurricanes and need every cent they can get.”
Political Leader of the Grenada Progressive Movement, Terry Forrester said Prime Minister Harris “lacks foresight and needs to understand that this is a time for the region to come together as brothers and sisters to seriously look at the many challenges facing our region and to develop medium and long term strategies to be more self sufficient and independent.”
“His decision speaks to a problem of serious systemic deficiency, which correlates to equal systemic social problems that are now affecting our region,” said Forrester.
Photo 1 – Madhi Mohammed
Photo 2 – Dr. Denzil L. Douglas
Photo 3 – Dr. Terrance Drew
Photo 4 – Terry Forrester
Photo 5 – Dr. Timothy Harris
