ST.KITTS: Millions Disbursed on Phantom Projects by Constituency Empowerment Department
As more details become available regarding the operations of the Constituency Empowerment Department it becomes clearer and clearer that the department was very likely a vehicle through which monies were funneled to the SKN Labour Party. This is the conclusion that has been made by investigators who are here from overseas analyzing and auditing the activities of a number of departments including the Electoral Office and the Constituency Empowerment Department among others.
Documents found at the government run department showed the disbursement of millions to long lists of scores of individuals , “ghost” organizations and phantom projects. Attorney General Vincent Byron declared in a recent interview that large sums of money was placed in the Constituency Empowerment department for political largesse. Some of the disbursements bordered on the ridiculous including an almost $50,000 disbursement of a sewing project and another $55,000 for a domino competition which the investigations revealed never took place. To put into perspective the local Basketball, Netball, Cricket and Volleyball Associations all combined operate on less than $55,000 for a typical season.
In Hermitage Cayon an amount of $106,413.55 was disbursed for a “Space Adaptation Project”. To date the only thing that resembles any sort of space adaptation is a picket fenced area of ghuat side land.
Over A whoping Half Million dollars was disbursed for various “Phantom Projects” in the Monkey Hill Area alone. This included over $300,000 for two “Space Adaptation Projects”. $60,000 for a Constituency Council and another $285,000 for a “Beautification project”.
In Keys $18, 549.99 was disbursed for the construction of a Keys Basketball Court . Keys has had a basketball court since the early 90’s.
In Constituency #7 $30,000 was disbursed for a “Fitness Trail” and another $22,000 for Wall Painting. In Constituency#6 $29,000 was disbursed to the St.Pauls Foot Ball Club and another $10,000 to the St.Pauls Cricket Club. A Total amount of $147,000 was disbursed for St.Pauls Space Adaptation Project, Sewing Project, Agricultural Irrigation Project, Agriculture Project and a Dance Project.
In Constituency #5 $68, 123.44 was disbursed for the construction of a Hardcourt and another $20,000 for a “Space Adaptation Project”. To date NO hardcourt has been constructed in Cleverly Hill and it remains very unclear what space was adapted in Sandy Point by the department or any other entity other than the Spirit Group.
In Constituency#3 $20,000 was disbursed for a “Monkey Capture Project” . $29,103.64 for the JNF Bus Stop . $7,000 was also disbursed for a “Fan Project”. This project , like many of the rest, was a phantom project . What baffles is what exactly was this “FAN Project”. Was the idea to provide FANS to people or was it to pay Labour Party fans to lead the cheers at the various Labour Party events.
Allegations were directed at the ruling labour nrp government accusing them during the election campaign that of using government money and resources to support their re-election campaign.
The staff at the Constituency Empowerment Department were either terminated or sent on leave some two weeks ago . Attorney general Vincent Byron subsequently revealed that investigations had began to reveal the possibility of wrong-doing at the department.
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