St Kitts and Nevis: The Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Dr Terrence Drew, paid a visit at the Office of Integrity Commission at Liverpool Row, Basseterre, St Kitts, on Wednesday, October 5, 2022. During the visit, PM Drew was accompanied by Chairperson, Retired High Court Judge Pearletta Lanns and other Integrity Commissioners.
On tour, the Chairperson introduced PM Drew to St Kitts and Nevis Integrity Commissioners, who were present to meet the Attorney-General to share the ideas, which are arising from the quick implementation of the Government’s Anti-Corruption legislative agenda.
The government’s proposed Anti-Corruption Act expects the appointment of a Special Prosecutor to scrutinize and prosecute criminal acts of corruption throughout the Civil Service, Statutory Boards and Government-Owned Companies, which are subject to the constitutional powers of the Director of Public Prosecution.
About the St Kitts Integrity Commission-
The St Kitts Integrity Commission is a body, which has been established by the Integrity in Public Life Act, comprising of a chairperson, who must have a qualification as a retired Judge or an attorney-at-law of around fifteen years standing, appointed by the Governor-General acting in their own deliberate judgement and two other persons appointed by the Governor-General after consultations with the PM and the Leader of the Opposition, respectively.
The St Kitts Integrity Commission will serve for a time period of 5 years and must be persons of high integrity and must be capable of exercising competence, diligence, sound judgement and impartiality in fulfilling their duties according to the provisions of the Act.
Later on, the day, while referring to the visit to the Office of Integrity Commission, in an interview with Freedom FM’s Prime Minister Dr Drew said that “Once we start on the path of good governance, it will allow the country to unleash its full potential… we want to create that new paradigm. It takes time, but we are working quickly on it to make sure we get it right.”
PM further added, “We want to create a country that is envy of many.”
At the same time, Attorney General Garth Wilkin asserted that “The Freedom of Information Act, passed in 2018, will finally be operationalized to allow access to the press and public to non-confidential Government information and to protect whistle-blowers.”
He added that he will be meeting with the Press Association on Friday 7th, October 2022, to discuss possible recommendations.