Chamber, organisations ‘overstepped boundary’ says PM Douglas

St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas on “Ask the Prime Minister” (photo by Erasmus Williams)

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, MAY 24TH 2011 (CUOPM) – St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas although welcoming suggestions on crime says the St. Kitts and Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce and a number of organizations overstepped their bounds in publicly calling for the sacking of a top civil servant.

During his weekly radio programme “Ask the Prime Minister” on Tuesday, Prime Minister Douglas also labeled as “poor judgment” a call by those organizations for the speedy appointment of a Commissioner of Police from outside the country.

The Chamber of Commerce and a number of organizations under the leadership of such well-known nationals as Mr. Michael Morton, Mr. Nick Menon, Bishop Ron Collins, and others, outlined in a resolution exactly what they think that the Government needs to do.

“The Government welcomes the input and suggestions of all individuals and organizations on this important challenge, even though I must say that these organizations overstepped their bounds in publicly calling for the removal of any permanent secretary in any ministry,” said Prime Minister Douglas.

He said the representatives of the chamber and the organizations “seem to have shown disrespect to the governance that exists in the Public Service system.”

Dr. Douglas said his Government will assume that there was no malice intended, but that this was simply the result of poor judgment.

He made it clear to listeners that it is not the intention of his Government to deliberately exclude any national from any post in this country – especially the St. Christopher and Nevis Police – one as important as the leadership of a national security agency.

“We believe in finding the best possible individual for the position in question – and the person who can best protect the interests of this nation, whether from the Federation or from further afield. So here again, we see the recommendation that a local not be given the leadership of the police force as yet another instance of poor judgment on the part of these organizations,” said the St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister.

Dr. Douglas gave the assurance that the Government will move forward in its commitment to execute the tasks that it was elected to do, and are being paid to do “that is to provide sound judgment, in-depth analysis, and proper policy formulation in the defense of our country.”

He sent another appeal to all individuals and to all organizations to join in a spirit of positive collaboration.

“We urge you to step forward. And we urge you to share with us all detailed plans of what you are, ready, willing, and able to do to defeat crime in this blessed land of ours,” said Dr. Douglas.