Public Opinion on Commission of Inquiry

In a recent man-on-the-street interview, residents of Nevis were equally divided on the issue of the commission of inquiry.

Split Views

The interview revealed that some thought the inquiry was necessary. Others believed it was a waste of time and money, and yet another group was unclear about what the inquiry was even about. Many of those interviewed asked to remain anonymous, with quotes not being attributed accordingly.

“I don’t care what they say; it is going to cost a lot of money,’said one respondent. “They should be moving on and thinking of the future, spending that money on things that matter, like getting people jobs. If they find some crookedness, are they going to be able to get the money back? If they get any money back, will it be enough to cover the cost of (the inquiry)?”

A woman interviewed gave her full support to the present Administration’s actions: “From what I hear, CCM did a lot of things to fill their pockets,’she said. “When someone is elected they are supposed to be there for the people, not be there to get rich. All the shady things that went on with CCM in power is shameful and not just the business deals. I’m talking about the real immoral things, like the girlfriends and the abuses of power by treating some better or worse because of who they supported politically. The stories are out there and at one time I supported CCM, but all those stories can’t be lies. Nevis likes to gossip, I know, but there has to be some truth to all this.”

Mixed Opinions

However, not everyone shared a strong opinion on the inquiry. One person felt that bygones should be bygones: “Who cares what happened way back then?”he said. “All this is political and is not serving the people. It is stupidness and if the (present Administration) wants to lead and be respected, they ought to forget about trying to blame the ones before them. This going to help no one and is going to cost lots of money.”

And yet, another man disagreed: “I have heard that this is all in the past and we should just forget, but if a man stabs another man, is it not a crime, even if it happened in the past?”he said. “A crime is a crime and the criminal needs to answer for it. If the people of Nevis were stolen from, they should know who did it.”

Uncertain About the Inquiry

More than one person was uncertain about the purpose of the inquiry and how it would affect their lives. “I (do not know) what this inquiry about,”said one respondent. “It (will not) affect me. They always pointing fingers at each other, saying this, saying that, talk, talk, talk. I don’t have much, but I know I’m blessed, so (I) wonder why they, when they got so much, always be vexed.”

Conclusion

Public opinion on the commission of inquiry is divided, reflecting the complexity of the issues at hand. While some believe it is necessary and others think it is unnecessary, there is a genuine lack of understanding about its purpose and potential impact among many Nevisians.