247/2018
Basseterre, St. Kitts, March 27, 2018 – Escalating crime, including murders and robberies, the blacklisting of the Federation, a travel advisory by the United Kingdom, a damming report from the United States Department of State overshadowed the Team Unity’s attempt to hoodwink the nation that all is well.
The double murder of the Finch sisters, the killing of three male youths in quick “wild, wild west” fashion, robberies of American students in Nevis, war zones at The Circus and Fort Street and the return of gangs in high schools, however tell a different picture to Prime Minister Harris’ deception that ‘crime is trending down’ as he boasts of millions of dollars allocated to National Security. But well-placed sources say most of the money pays the salaries and the high consultant fees of foreign consultants.
The Finch sisters – 19-year-old Naomi and 20-year-old Jimmyliah, were strangled and partially decapitated partially on the seashore in Keys Village on March 1 and hours later 26-year-old Mikelton Tyson of Phillips’ Village was shot to death.
Police also reported that Newton Ground resident, Priston Joel Flemming went missing and his disappearance still remains a mystery 28 days later on Tuesday.
The United Kingdom Government warned its nationals that while most visits to St. Kitts and Nevis are trouble-free, “there have been incidents of crime including murder, armed robbery and sexual assault.”
Within hours, there were reports of robberies of American students studying medicine in Nevis, but the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force remains tight-lipped on the matter.
Gun violence in four locations on St. Kitts resulted in the murders and injuries to four youth in another violent week.
Dead are 41-year-old Glenville Francis of Newton Ground and 30-year-old Calvin Archibald of Sandy Point. Nursing injuries are 24-year-old Ricardo Jeffers of St. Peter’s, Hannibal Bassue of Taylors, 23-year-old Dejohn Foster and 21-year-old Ajani Reef of Old Road.
The period of Team Unity’s celebration was also marred by the resurgence of gang fights at the Basseterre High School and the Charles E. Mills Secondary School.
Both educational institutions were on lockdown following fights between students on their respective campuses.
With the St. Kitts and Nevis economy in its third successive year of decline, the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis was added to the blacklist by the European Union in Brussels, Germany as a non-cooperative tax haven.
The 2018 International Narcotics Strategy Report released by the United States Department of States in Washington, D.C. said St. Kitts and Nevis “is susceptible to corruption and money laundering because of the volume of narcotics trafficking around the islands.”
“Nevis is a desirable location for criminals to conceal proceeds because of the ambiguous regulatory framework regarding customer due diligence makes Nevis a desirable location for criminals to conceal proceeds,” said the Report.
The Report highlighted the options in the Citizenship by Investment Programme, including the recently created contribution of US$150,000 to the newly created Hurricane Relief Fund and expressed dissatisfaction with the operation of the Citizenship Processing Unit (CPU).
“The CPU does not maintain adequate autonomy from politicians to prevent political interference in its decisions,” it said.
“The Government should focus on addressing noted deficiencies. St. Kitts and Nevis must work toward transparency and accountability in financial regulation,” the Report said.
Several areas including St. Peter’s, Shadwell, New Road, Gillard’s, Pine Gardens, Basseterre, Bird Rock, Half Moon and the South East Peninsula of St. Kitts are experiencing a shortage of water; there was outrage from the society when a video and photos show documents, personal files of students, photos, plaques and trophies left behind by the Team Unity Government when the old Basseterre High School was abandoned.
