St. Kitts-Nevis Set to Vote, CIP’s Future Hangs in the Balance

A Look Back at the Country’s CIP Program

Ex-St.Kitts-Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas

CIP’s Role in the Country’s Economy

St. Kitts-Nevis, the cradle of CIPs, is set to vote this year, although a specific date has not been called. Given CBI’s outsize role in the country’s economy, it would take a brave politician to question its right to life. Yet, if the CIP arises as a political issue, although not warranted, the opposition will likely try to cause scandal by pointing propoganda to government incompetence in its management of the program. As it stands, this is exactly what opposition leader Dr. Denzil L. Douglas is doing. This has been a tough sell, however, as it can be credibly argued that the management of the programme in St.Kitts-Nevis is currently at its best. The Dr. Hon. Timothy Harris Team Unity administration have made tremendous strides in resuscitating and revamping the programme after it’s significant fall from grace in 2014 when the programme and the leadership of then Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas was plagued by scandal after scandal.

A Challenging Road Ahead

In the lead-up to this year’s election, even the unlikely prospect of a Douglas victory is sure to make new CIP citizens nervous due. In his last 2 years as PM from 2013 and 2014, Douglas and the management of the programmes was heavily criticised Internationally, particularly by the US and Canada, who both raised official concerns regarding his management. This happened during a period when scandal after scandal after scandal swept through the nation’s CIP, which subsequently played a major role in his ouster as Prime Minister after a 20 year rule. The US and Canada were not happy with his leadership of the programme. Their dissatisfaction was so much that the US issued a FINCEN advisory regarding the poor management of the programme and Canada took the drastic step of removing the visa waiver long enjoyed by SKN Citizens. The US also went a step further and revoked the US Visa of then Prime Minister Douglas in January 2015, just one month before he was voted out of office. He remains without a US Visa up to this day, despite several attempts to regain possession.

International Scandals Continue to Plague Douglas

Dr. Douglas continues to be plagued by International scandals, as recent UK Reports indicated that the Ex-Prime Minister was stopped with over £70,000 in cash at UK’s Gatwick airport. He is currently under investigation for the find by the UK Crime Agency.

Conclusion

The future of St. Kitts-Nevis’ CIP program hangs in the balance as the country prepares to vote. With the opposition leader, Dr. Denzil L. Douglas, continuing to face international scandals, the program’s future is uncertain. The current administration’s efforts to revamp the program have been successful, but the challenges ahead are significant.

FAQs

* What is the current state of St. Kitts-Nevis’ CIP program?
+ The program is currently at its best, with the current administration having made significant strides in resuscitating and revamping it.
* What are the challenges facing the program?
+ The opposition leader, Dr. Denzil L. Douglas, is continuing to face international scandals, which may impact the program’s future.
* What is the current administration’s plan for the program?
+ The administration has made efforts to revamp the program and ensure its success in the future.