BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, Mar 06 2017 – Opposition legislators have written to Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris calling on him to dismiss his Minister with responsibility for Public Infrastructure, Post, Urban Development and Transport, Ian “Patches” Liburd, over an alleged conflict of interest.
The legislators say that while holding the ministerial portfolio “and in particular having the responsibility for Public Infrastructure and Urban Development,” Liburd on August 31 last year “incorporated a company named Prime Building Depot Inc. of which he is the sole director and shareholder”.
The legislators – Opposition Leader Dr. Denzil L. Douglas, Marcella Liburd, Konris Maynard, Patrice Nisbett and Nigel Carty – said that the sole purpose of the company “according to the Memorandum and Articles of Association” is to “engage in the business of shipping and distribution of building materials”.
In their letter, the five opposition parliamentarians said the response by 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, adding “it smells”.
They reminded Prime Minister Harris that the Liburd had taken an oath “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 legislators wrote.
They claim 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 legislators.
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