Published 26 November 2017
Buckie Got It, St. Kitts and Nevis News Source
TUG slammed for not dealing with present day problems; silence of PM Harris on ECCB report questioned
Basseterre, St. Kitts, November 26, 2017 – The Team Unity Government of St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris has failed to deal with the present day problems in the twin-island Federation.
A caller to Freedom 106.5 FM popular talk show “Issues,” is questioning the silence of the Minister of Finance on the damming report from the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) on the St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank.
The frequent caller to talk shows that allow members of the public to air their views has also expressed concern that supporters of the Team Unity Government seem only concerned about “looking back” since it took office on February 16, 2015.
“I think it is just a red-herring. They just want to throw us off track. We have present day problems to deal with,” said the caller, who pointed out that Sylvene Henry and other defenders of the Harris-led administration, are now silent on the political, social and economic issues that should be dealt with now.
He questioned the silence from Prime Minister Harris, who is also Minister of Finance Dr. Harris, on the damming report from the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) on the St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank.
The contents of the ECCB document dated December 6, 2016 and first reported by WINNFM, indicated that National Bank was assigned an overall composite risk rating of high, identified areas requiring immediate remedial action including an improvement in corporate governance, deficiencies with the group structure and weaknesses such as: no independent directors; poor functioning of committees; absence of updated policies and procedures; and one director who does not meet the fit and proper criteria set out in part VIII of the Banking Act. There were some concerns regarding the oversight provided by the internal audit and risk review functions.
The ECCB Report surfaced following news that the Chief Credit Risk Officer, Victor Boyce, resigned in October, three months into a three year contract.
“In other jurisdictions a prime minister or minister of finance, will have to come out with a statement the next day and say something about it,” said the caller, pointing to what he said are “specific accusations that were made and which need to be dealt with.”
“They should not be allowed to be thrown under the carpet and I am surprised that Mrs. Henry and others, are not demanding answers. Instead of going back and looking at what use to happen before, you have to look forward,” said the caller.
He also slammed the Team Unity Government for its failure to submit reports to the nation months after it announced it was going to investigate the unauthorised Stem Cell project at the J. N. France General Hospital and an unethical herpes vaccine trial at a private home in St. Kitts in 2016.
“It is months now. Everybody, regardless of which side you are on should be demanding answers. We got to be doing better than that,” he said.
