Minister Of Tourism, Marsha Henderson has once again come under fire from opposition fuelled publication for her community beautification initiative. Over the weekend, Minister Henderson and her team, assisted by Nevisian Artist, Vaugn Anslyn, and another local artist, embarked on the second phase of the Our Community Our Pride Initiative.
One of the places where the Minister and her team have selected for the beautification initiative are the steps at Durant Avenue. This space, previously adopted by the members of the McKnight Community, was given a new coat of paint.
This action of the Minister of Tourism has come under significant negative limelight as people have accused the Minister of painting over a symbol of community spirit. The steps were painted two years previously with messages of community love. The messages urged people not to litter and take care of the community.
People have also claimed that these steps were lovingly managed by the members of the community without any help from the administration. Some publications accused Minister Marsha Henderson of disregarding public sentiment to do last minute damage repair.
These officers have accused the MP of Central Basseterre Saying that she is doing this in order to secure votes. However, the polls in St Kitts and Nevis are still nearly two years away, which refutes the notion that the cleanliness campaign is an act of desperation and not community love.
If we look at the local perspective on the accusations, Minister Marsha Henderson’s clean up campaign has been receiving significant support from her constituents. The people have also countered the accusations saying that Minister Marsha Henderson has been an active participant of similar cleanup drives in her community.
Talking about the paintjob at the steps at Durant Avenue, the locals have also confirmed that the steps were not as meticulously maintained as is being claimed in some posts from opposition claimed media. Some locals claimed that the photographs which these publications have used are from two years ago.
The state of the steps has not been photographed for evidence before the paint job was started on the community steps, but local accounts confirm that the steps needed a new paint job.
Further, people have also expressed their confidence in the efforts of Minister Marsha Henderson saying that her partnership with artists will likely lead to a very good outcome for the community members.
Minister of Tourism has constantly been at the center of accusations and rumours since the beginning of the Our Community, Our Pride initiative. While the people are seen standing with the Minister, some publications are finding things to criticize in what is otherwise a community centric, highly motivating initiative promoting inclusivity, growth and sensitivity to personal duty towards community. In light of wildly different narratives it is difficult to say which side has more merit to it