A government that was elected based on one of their campaign promises to reduce the cost of living, now finds itself reneging on that promise and has done the complete opposite within two short years. We have seen a steady cost increase in virtually every aspect here on the island and the NEVLEC bills, effective February, really hit consumers hard, despite the fact that it was expected.
Electricity bills have basically doubled as a result of the implemented fuel surcharge. An express reconnection fee of $250 has been introduced at NEVLEC as well, and so it goes across the board for residents of Nevis.
The Nevis Water Department same day reconnection fee presently stands at $200.00. Retail shop licenses and other increased expenses are rubbing everyone here on the island and salaries have basically remained the same.
In addition to those, there are a number of increases that are plaguing our people.
Flour and other grocery items, travel, gasoline prices are climbing fast and so too is building material.
Meanwhile, it is not the same for the chosen few. One cannot play blind or turn a deaf ear to what is happening blatantly around us. Our government seems to be totally out of control with their spending, as there seem to be a big wastage of funds on many projects, especially on the northern side of the island. Nevis Housing and Lands Authority materials, machinery and manpower were quite visible during working hours at private property of my elected minister.
A similar function was also carried out day and night with excavating and loading machinery from the same statutory body. NHLDC seemingly involves itself in filling private trucks with topsoil taken from earth change activities, yet sadly, haulage is limited only to family a member of our minister.
Government vehicles are still being abused while nepotism is truly alive here on our beautiful little island. Government and its statutory bodies are being overstaffed. Family members and friends of government ministers are rampant and combative in defense of the selfish and wicked practices that is glaringly evident. One such individual accosted me on Sunday saying, “our time has come”. Truck drivers are feeling the pinch as this militant occupation continues.
This reckless, carefree and wanton misuse of government funds by some in authority is absurd, sickening and bordering on criminal. At this critical time when the majority are hurting with these hefty tax increases, high food prices, building material, gasoline, petroleum products and more, one has many questions to ask but no certainty of getting the truthful answers from those in authority.
We are certainly not happy that our elected representatives have seemingly gone from rags to riches within two years, on the backs of hard working Nevisians.
We are not happy that properties of indigenous Nevisians have been acquired by government without any dialogue between these land owners and the appropriate government officials.
We are concerned about the settlements to be made with such individuals while relatives of the minister are being handed prime parcels of property in exchange of incomparable lands acquired for road construction at Stoney Grove.
We think it’s a woefully unfair practice for Housing and Land machinery to be loading private trucks with topsoil that is taken away and solely by family of the minister himself.
We think lawyers who are elected representatives should not handle the bulk of government transactions when government has a legal department.
Transparency, another promise by our present government, has not surfaced. Figures of the escalating high costing projects have not yet been made public and we need to know.
The truth has got to be told. Our government that promised so much and have failed us miserably on their promises must be held responsible. The time for accountability is now.
