BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS (March 6th 2017) – The Parliamentary Opposition in the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly has written to the Federation’s Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris calling for the dismissal of the Hon. Ian Mc Donald Liburd, also known as Ian “Patches” Liburd, as Minister with responsibility for Public Infrastructure, Post, Urban Development and Transport.
Minister Liburd is also the Minister with responsibility for the St. Christopher Air and Seaports Authority (SCASPA).
“The undisputed fact is that while holding the above Ministry and in particular having the responsibility for Public Infrastructure and Urban Development, on the 31st August 2016, he incorporated a company named Prime Building Depot Inc. of which he is the sole director and shareholder whose objectives according to the Memorandum and Articles of Association will engage in the business of shipping and distribution of building materials,” said the letter signed by the members representing the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) and the Nevis Reformation Party (NRP).
The five opposition parliamentarians told Prime Minister Harris that the response by Minister Liburd that he has not obtained a business license is the most infantile of defenses that he can offer for his activity.
“He has failed to give any explanation and provide evidence that the company was incorporated for a purpose that would not involve activities for which his Ministry has a responsibility. He cannot and does not absolve himself of the responsibility to explain to the public the reason why he has incorporated the company which has led the public to conclude that it was for no other reason than to facilitate access by him of funds whether directly or indirectly from the work contracted out by his Ministry,” the letter stated.
The opposition parliamentarians are of the view that the objectives of the company totally conflict with the responsibilities Liburd holds as Minister.
“It smells,” said the letter.
Pointing out that as Prime Minister, Dr. Harris is aware that by the oath Minister Liburd “undertook to uphold and preserve the Constitution and the Laws of the Federation and that he will conscientiously and impartially and to the best of his ability discharge his duties as the Minister with responsibility for Public Infrastructure and Urban Development and do right to all manner of people without fear, affection or ill will.”
“We wish to point out that at the very least the incorporation of the company demonstrated his intentions, and the putting in place of a mechanism to assist him in the breach of his Ministerial fiduciary duty. We wish to point out that during your campaign and in your Manifesto for the General Elections of 16th February 2015, the Unity coalition of which both yourself and Minister Liburd were members, campaigned on the basis that on becoming a Government you will adhere to good governance, transparency and accountability,” the opposition parliamentarians said.
They further pointed out that since taking office and despite the many pronouncements of the Team Unity Administration, “we are yet to see any action taken in respect of the many conflicts of interest and acts of nepotism and cronyism that now riddle your Government.”
“The firing of Minister Liburd might help to give some credibility to your pronouncements,” said the SKNLP parliamentarians, Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas, MP – St. Christopher 6; Hon. Marcella Liburd, MP- St. Christopher 2 and Hon. Konris Maynard, MP – St. Christopher 3 and NRP parliamentarian, Hon. Patrice Nisbett – MP – Nevis 11. SKNLP senator Hon. Nigel Carty also signed the letter.
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