Opposition Leader Dr. Denzil Douglas is calling on Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris to disclose how much money was spent on beefing up security at his private residence.
Speaking on a radio programme here Tuesday, Douglas reiterated a call for the establishment of the Public Accounts Committee.
He said the recent ruling by the Constitutional Court in South Africa calling on President Jacob Zuma to repay millions used on upgrading security at his private residence, makes it even more imperative that there should be transparency on the issue in St. Kitts-Nevis.
“We want to ensure that a similar situation does not arise where the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis is taken to Court in order to force him to repay government money which he has spent to improve his private home,” Dr. Douglas told listeners to Freedom FM radio.
Douglas, who lost the last general election to the Harris-led coalition administration, said there was need to know just how much money was spent on beefing up security at the private residence of the prime minister.
“We know that monies have been spent but because we do not have the benefit of the Public Accounts Committee of the Parliament we cannot call for the receipts and the accounts of the government monies spent on the improvement of Timothy Harris’ home,” said Dr Douglas.
“We believe that if the facts are brought clearly to us and we can prove that government funds have actually been used to upgrade Dr Harris’ private home, then of course we will press in a similar way for these monies to be repaid to the taxpayers of this country.”
He said institutions that have been established to ensure there are checks and balances on governance were not functioning.
Prime Minister Harris has not yet responded to the call by Dr. Douglas.