PEACE pact support for gang violence victims’ children

 CHILDREN MADE FATHERLESS through gang violence will get financial support from the Alternative Lifestyle Pathway Programme (ALPP) popularly called the PEACE Initiative when the St Kitts and Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) returns to power following today’s national elections vowed party leader, Dr Terrance Drew.

Dr Drew criticised the current management of the scheme dubbing it a “window dressing” of the Timothy Harris administration which conceived and introduced the strategy in the Federation on March 13, 2019.

“I have studied Rwanda. I have studied South Africa. They cannot only be peace, there must be reconciliation as well. There must be peace and reconciliation…and thirdly restoration. That is why I am declaring that from the PEACE fund the children of the victims of crime will also get their share,” Drew announced at a political rally with an eye to today’s elections.

Contestants are vying for 15 parliamentary seats: eight in St Kitts; three in Nevis, and four to be appointed by the Governor General. 

Drew’s SKNLP is widely tipped to win back control of the Leeward Islands nation after Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris’ coalition Team Unity Dr Denzil Douglas who led the CARICOM country in an unbroken 20- years at the helm, winning every poll from 1995 – 2015.

Drew told party supporters the PEACE Initiative was a ‘cash cow’ for Harris and his cronies assailed by charges of corruption.

“Their primary objective is to fill their pockets individually,” was how Drew described Team Unity government ministers and their ties to the programme.

Since Basseterre gained independence 43 years ago from Britain, the twin-island Federation has experienced escalating criminal activities causing Drew to reason those proper systems have to be implemented to reverse the phenomenon.

“So, if there are any families here tonight who have any child or children who is/are descendants of men who died during that epic period, we will make sure that not only those who were left behind and got a second chance, but we will also ensure that the children left behind will get a real chance because they have to grow up without their father and I am declaring that they too will get their part of the PEACE fund,” Dr. Drew emphasised.

He said it was shortsighted and a grave injustice by the Harris’ administration to execute the PEACE programme without the children of victims also identified as beneficiaries.

“It’s wrong and unjust to not give the children anything from the PEACE fund. They too are victims, and that is why the St. Kitts Labour Party (SKNLP) has to be a compassionate party and…balance the equation. Otherwise, you can’t have PEACE. You must have peace, reconciliation and restoration for the whole thing to work and the labour party will do that,” Dr. Drew declared.

The Alternative Lifestyle Pathway Programme (ALPP) started with some 70 persons but ballooned to some 3,000 currently. Dr Douglas cast doubts that there are so many Kittitians and Nevisians actively tied to armed gangs and at-risk groups on the island of only 53,000 inhabitants.

The ALPP offers beneficiaries to gain insights in project development, business ventures, and how to access loans. There is also an apprenticeship programmes and educational opportunities for participants some of whom desired to end violence in their communities.

The Police, National Security Ministry and an Interim Engagement Team comprising members of different sectors of society comprised the initial grouping to help former gang members change their lifestyles.

During his rally address, Dr Drew indicated that the antidote to Dr. Harris seven-year venom as PM of the island is to vote him out of office.

“We are at a very critical moment. We are at a time when we must choose between bad governance and good governance; a time when we have to choose between corruption and those who want to bring decency [back] to public life,” Dr. Drew declared.