Citizenship by Investment Programme no longer a ‘one-man operation’

Basseterre, St. Kitts, September 2nd 2013 (CUOPM) – St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas says the Citizenship by Investment Programme is no longer a one-man operation and following a revamping several locals are now service providers.

Responding to questions from radio talk show host Carla (Carla T) Astaphan during “What’s happening St. Kitts and Nevis” on Radio St. Kitts-Nevis (90.7 FM), Prime Minister Douglas noted that the programme was started in 1984 by the People’s Action Movement (PAM) Administration of then Prime Minister the Right Hon. Sir Kennedy Simmonds.

Dr. Douglas noted that the Citizenship by Investment Programme between 1984 and 1995 was privately controlled by Dr. William Herbert, founder of the People’s Action Movement (PAM).

“When I got into office, I met no files. It was something that was been handled privately and solely by Billy Herbert,” said Prime Minister Douglas.

While in charge of the Citizenship by Investment Programme, Dr. Herbert was also St. Kitts and Nevis’ Ambassador to the United States, St. Kitts and Nevis’ Permanent Representative to the Organisation of American States (OAS), St. Kitts and Nevis’ Permanent Representative to The United Nations and General Consul to the Federal Government.

“No other accountant, no other lawyer in this country participated in this exercise or in this initiative. It was totally controlled by a small group of persons who operated out of Dr. Herbert’s Office. That’s the fact, that’s how we met it,” Prime Minister Douglas explained.

The programme has been revamped and local lawyers, including former associates of the PAM Administration – Constance V. Mitcham, Ricaldo Caines and Lindsay F. P. Grant, who were shut out from the programme, are now service providers. Former Cabinet Minister, Mr. G.A. Dwyer Astaphan, Daniel, Brantley and Associates are also service providers.