Photo: Dr. Terrance Drew
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS – Rampant nepotism is a growing concern in St. Kitts and Nevis and a caretaker for the opposition St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) has warned such situations are detrimental to good governance, transparency and accountability, demoralisation of the workforce and a could lead to a drop in productivity
Dr. Terrance Drew said he is troubled by a recent remark made by Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris at recent public events that it is him who will call the “O” as in BINGO as it highlights that he will only call it in a favourable way for family and close friends.
“Nepotism is in full swing and it is playing out in this country,” said Dr. Terrance Drew, who is of the view that although individuals may possess the academic qualifications and accomplishments, talents, drive and aspirations, they can only benefit from the fruits of the country, if Dr. Harris finds favour and calls the “O.”
“This is sad because the Prime Minister is saying to our people that for you to be successful, he has to make you successful. He is saying he is in control of everything. This is nepotism. You have to be favourable to him for him to call the ‘O,’ said Dr. Drew, who added that the ‘O’ has been used to victimize many young and talented civil servants and other persons in the country.
“Prime Minister Harris has given his ‘O’ to his brother in the Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis, who has been promoted from Manager to CEO and has BINGOed earning close to $30,000 monthly; brother in law in the Ministry of Health, promoted and given the ‘O’ with backpay amounting to thousands of dollars for a position he never acted in and is not qualified; a sister got the ‘O’ and was appointed Magistrate; another sister is Registrar and given the power, previously given to a judge of the High Court, to make the final decision on Small Estate Claims and thus being given the ‘O’; another sister, transferred and promoted to the Payroll/Salaries Division in the Human Resources Department, she too got the ‘O’; another brother got the “O’ and is increasing his trucking service and was recently given the contract for the new National Heroes Park in Conaree, even though his bid was much higher than those submitted by persons in Conaree,” said Dr. Drew.
He claimed too that members of the Harris family have bingoed and are involved in the MRI facility, car rental services and the renting of tents, chairs and tables to the Government of which Dr. Harris is Prime Minister.
“It is evident that those who are getting the favourable ‘O’ are family members and close friends who are favoured by the Prime Minister. All these are cases of nepotism,” said Dr. Drew, who warned that such situations are detrimental to good governance, transparency and accountability, demoralisation of the workforce and a drop in productivity.
“We need the best talents in positions in St. Kitts and Nevis to secure and advance our country,” said Dr. Drew.
