TEAM UNITY GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO PURSUE AND FULFILL ITS GOOD GOVERNANCE AGENDA

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, February 16, 2022 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris said he is proud of his Team Unity Government’s accomplishments after only seven years in office, particularly on the work done to advance the commitments made in the context of its good governance agenda. 

Since assuming office in 2015, the government has done much to strengthen and advance good governance in St. Kitts and Nevis. This includes the operationalization of the Integrity in Public Life Act through the appointment of a three-member Integrity Commission, and the passing of key legislations such as the Freedom of Information Bill and the landmark Motion of No Confidence Bill. 

Prime Minister Harris said, “On February 15^th, 2015, the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis was on the verge of a new beginning notwithstanding the turmoil and struggle associated with the 26-month shelving of the Motion of No Confidence (MONC) which, in the eyes of many, was an affront to democracy. Our government, to its credit, has genuinely improved good governance in our country both legislatively and administratively. We have established by law The Motion of No Confidence Act, 2019 – a definite period for holding a MONC. In effect, we have clarified what the Constitution meant by a reasonable time.”

Moreover, the prime minister said the Team Unity administration has also clarified the role of the Public Accounts Committee, making it possible for its work to be done by a Committee of Parliamentarians led by the Leader of the Opposition.

Dr. Harris, who was speaking during the Tuesday, February 15, 2022 edition of Leadership Matters, further noted that much has been done over the last seven years to significantly improve the transparency and accountability of the government. 

“We meet the people regularly, and via innovations like Working for You and Leadership Matters, in addition to press conferences and regular sittings of Parliament. We account regularly to the people. Independent entities have hailed our strengthening of democracy as evidenced by our high ranking in independent publications such as the World Justice Project Rule of Law Index,” Dr. Harris added. 

The Team Unity-led Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has also moved to operationalize the Procurement and Contract (Administration) Act of 2012 to ensure procurement processes are proper and done in accordance with the law. -30-