637 travelers from West Africa remain in Antigua and Barbuda

53
African refugees at Dr-Lay-Apts-New-Winthropes

TWIN ISLAND MEDIA:The government says 637 travelers who arrived from West Africa on Charter flights between November and January remain in Antigua and Barbuda.

The figure was revealed by Information, ICTs, Utilities, and Energy Minister Melford Nicholas at Thursday’s post-Cabinet press conference.

Nicholas says that in total, some 911 travellers arrived on different charter flights from Nigeria. If 637 people remain, this suggests that just 274 have departed since.

Many of the travelers are from Cameroon where there is an ongoing civil war. Some have said  they would be in danger if they returned.

Last week, at the first Cabinet meeting after the election, the government reacted to reports which had been circulating for weeks prior, that some travellers who were arriving in Antigua appeared to be migrants rather than tourists.

It resolved to halt any further incoming charters.

Direct charter flights were initiated by Antigua Airways, which was an enterprise backed by the government.

The first charter arrived to much fanfare and with the promise that new opportunities were opening up for tourism.

But from the onset, some things seemed amiss. The company behind the operation was “Marvellous Mike Press”.

The government has also revealed that another charter operator also began landing passengers.

Between both operations, it was observed that when some travellers landed, they were without booked accommodation upon landing, or were unable to afford lower budget hotels, or were later discovered to be renting substandard accommodation, or were discovered to be staying in residential communities, or were being assisted with basic items such as food and clothing.

Throughout the election campaign leading up to January 18, the government appeared to avoid dealing with the issue head on. But now it seems eager to act on the issue.

Nicholas said on Thursday that the government was prepared to repatriate the travelers at its own expense. But it is not clear how many would be willing. Other questions have been lingering too.

Are all of those who remain in Antigua and Barbuda Cameroonian? Are there other nationalities who do not wish to return to West Africa? Would a repatriation flight take people back to Nigeria? Would Nigeria accept them if they are not Nigerian nationals?

Nicholas also said the government was prepared to accommodate those who might ultimately remain in Antigua and Barbuda by affording them some form of legal status in the country.

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53 COMMENTS

  1. That’s a lot of people. For those that remain, I hope they are innovative in their employment ventures e.g. we could use a couple of African restaurants, an African clothing store that sells affordable modern fashion using African prints or island-themed African tunics, an African jewelry store, an African NATURAL beauty products store, an African art gallery, etc.

    • where would they get the capital to start ventures such as resturant ect. when theh dont even luve any where but is a liability to the tax payers. I swear Antiguan and those that live here are a bunch of ediots encouraging such, Young people cant get work and resort to stealing and you want to encourage another sets to this small county jeusus take the wheel,

      • These people help each other grow. Something that Antiguans know little about because we don’t care about building each other up. Always something negative.

      • Well they managed to find thousands to make the trip didn’t they?
        Local young people can’t get work, yes. That’s why if the Africans stay, they should be encouraged to do something useful and likely to suceed that does not compete with locals for jobs. So, their best bet would be to leverage being “African” to their advantage.

    • If they can’t afford accommodation you think they’d be about to afford to set up a business, much less import African products?

      BTW African is used too widely. There are 54 countries in Africa, thousands of languages and cultures. Its not one place.

      • Ideally, they should be sent back to a safe part of Africa or some larger richer country willing to take a few refugees. But, if they have to stay they can always find capital to start a business if they have the right skills and a good plan. Would you prefer they try nothing at all and wait around on the taxpayers to do everything for them for free?

    • @ wow… I know I may get some flack from people but y would we want african restaurants here? We don’t know want sh%t they put in dem food, we don’t know if they had food handlers in Africa…. I say this because by the sound of it, these people were not vetted properly!! For all we know we have murderes roaming the street. They need to be sent back fort with and canceled this so called antiguan airways shit and focus on liat!!

      • I hear African stews are really good. I don’t know if these persons are coming from a region with such cuisine. Obviously, anyone starting an eatery should go through the necessary health checks and inspections. I agree that in general they should be transferred somewhere else and these flights cancelled. But, if they stay, they should be encouraged to do jobs that don’t compete with locals such as starting “African” businesses throughout the region. Locals can start “Caribbean” businesses so no competition there.

      • All these people do is come in your country with there sorry ass story about they can’t go back or they will be killed they have there intentions they need to go back to Africa some of these people are thugs and rebels coming with a innocent face to corrupt your small island kick them out they breed up fast like pigeons obeah workers start molesting your young girls and boys full of aids like what kick the. Out Antigua.

        • It is weird and concerning that it’s reportedly mostly men, no women and children. Ukrainian men stay back and fight while their women and children are sent away to safety. Meanwhile these African men flee leaving women and children behind to fend for themselves? They should ideally be sent back to a safe location in Africa. They can start a new life and then hopefully send for their women and children. The government should ask the African Union to allocate safe spaces in other countries for Cameroonian refugees fleeing the war.

  4. I don’t know what the original reason for these flights were, but something seems to be off from the onset. There obviously was someone on the other end in Africa doing a sales pitch for this airline with great promises to these travelers.

    I know that many Antiguans are furious, but the truth is, it is not these Africans fault, something was obviously promised to them, and while I do not know how much the tickets cost, I’m making an intelligent guess that it’s a few thousand US dollars. Seems like a scheme from the airline and/or its owners. If so, someone from the government and/or the airport must have been in on it for the flight to get permission to leave here, go to Africa, and to return and land on the airport here.

    I honestly believe that these people are roughly treated here. I said that because this airline was opened up and started by Antiguans and its affiliates, not Africans. And to get them on the flight, something must have been promised in exchange for payment of their flights. And who knows what more was paid by them?

    I believe that we need to look at the bigger picture. It’s an unfortunate situation, but sadly, many are only concentrating on these Africans and not on the organizers of this flight. Who is/was behind this airline? That’s the real question that we need to ask.

    Also, if there is war in Cameroon, then I believe that the right thing to do is to give these people refugee status.

    • War is not going on in the entire country. They could have moved to a more peaceful area at home but just like most black people always have the desire to reached the USA for a better life. Antigua and Barbuda is not in a position to accept /accommodate refugees in no way or form

  5. PEOPLE, stop being so quick to be compassionate, and be realistic about how this migrant situation will affect your living condition. They need to be deported. Antigua cannot afford the burden of over 600+ people who might be low skilled and have no transferable skills to benefit the country. How many are nurses, doctors, engineers or accountants? They will become a burden and create chaos. Maybe the Minister needs to appeal to other CARICOM countries for assistance and shelter. These migrants were going to Antigua, Guatemala to cross the US border not to be abandoned in Antigua, West Indies. Point of fact, Africans don’t like blacks who are not from the continent, so don’t get it twisted. This is is going to be an economic and social crisis that need to be addressed.

    • Thank you Sir. Small Antigua and Barbuda simply do not have the capacity to absorb 637 people into our economy. We didn’t plan for this and this would only put further economic strain on our already fragile economy and people. We need to stop biting off more than we can chew and arrange for the passengers to be safety repatriated to their country of origin. They came to Antigua under false pretense as bonafide tourists and are now seeking asylum. This situation might come back to haunt us in the long run and it is best that we address it now once and for all. If we are gonna open the flood gates to these West Africans, it is very likely that others will follow in the near future. It is best that we go out and invite all our brothers and sisters within Caricom, many of whom would be glad to come in with an open invitation. This whole matter was handled badly …airline, passengers and all.

    • Antiguans in the UK, US and Canada, do you expect those countries to treat our people who arrive in their land as visitors to be treated that way? The fact is, most people who traveled to those countries as visitors, overstayed and without proper education sometimes, never returned until they’ve achieved permanent or citizen status. I know, because I was one of them in the US for close to 40 years.

      The fact is, some of those Africans could very well be our relatives. We can’t count that out because as Antiguans and being black, our forefathers came from African countries, mainly west Africa. Should we continue to act like racist whites that we always seems to despise. And what should those countries that Antiguans flocks to think of us? Should they continue to think of us as hospitable people? When you’re hospitable, race and nationality doesn’t come into play when we’re clothed with the same skin color. As Antiguans, we should rise above those who treat humans with such contempt. WE ARE BETTER THAN THAT!!!

      • Be sensible Concern!
        The USA, CA, UK have space, finance and economic ability to take in people under the radar. You paid your way to support and maintain yourself in the States even though you were under the radar. Those people dont seem able to do that so will eventually be a burden on the A&B. Will the crime rate increase when things get even tougher over time?
        Young Antiguans & Barbudans need employment but many have to escape to find work to help themselves and their families.
        Can any of them qualified to contribute to the society? There is a need to find out who is behind the finer details for their arrangement/arrival into Antigua. Were they asked for proof of maintemance on arrival? They are refugees not tourists!!
        People get real!!

      • @ concern well u can take them in and look after them! U can’t compare the USA to Antigua!! Incase u didn’t know we are a third world country!! It has nothing to do with being racist. Pensioners, nurses, hotel workers, maternity, skilled young antiguans can’t get paid so don’t tell me about compassionate!

    • @Adjunct We don’t need African nurses, scientists or engineers. Our local people can do those jobs. If they stay they should do something that does not compete with persons already here.

  6. We the autochthonous Antiguans must demand an explanation from Gaston Browne, Max Fernández, Colin James et el, about this whole fiasco.

    I recall all of the fanfare from the government about this airline collaboration with Nigeria.

    As we all now know that this government doesn’t do any us favours – and so be it -, but at least come out and give some sort of delineation to the 600 odd Africans who have been dumped here with nowhere to stay or go.

    And where is our Prime Minister now?

    YES YOU GUESS RIGHT! … HE’S DANCING ABROAD AGAIN WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH!!!

  7. Hell no! They have to go! 637 extra mouths to feed?! Are you all insane! Let Gaston, et al go into their OWN pockets and pay for the plane to take them back. Money pass! I cannot begin to tell you how many international laws were broken to bring these people here! Acquaintances in aviation and immigration say that they have deported people back to their Caribbean countries for less! So what the hell is this”well….they done here aready so there’s nothing we can do.” Ask immigration how many people they deport monthly to Jamaica, Guyana, D.R, etc? Just give me a break in this country!!!

  9. If they don’t have any redeemable vocation/expertise to contribute to the country’s economy they must go. Soon they will have uprisings and attempt to overthrow the government like the mayhem left behind. As the old Caribbean saying goes, “Sorry for meager dog they turned around and bite you.” The brokers lied about their intentions and scammed the gullible, open minded government of Antigua. In this day and age of Nigerian scam artist, why do business with a warehouse operator fronting as an airline company? They are not business processionals and had no intention to return to Africa. I would like to believe that the Antiguan government was well intended, but the plan was changed without their knowledge. Therefore, these African migrants must be deported.

    • Do you want the Antiguans in countries around the world who entered those countries as visitors, but had no intentions of returning, to be deported too? For a better way of life in other countries, that’s what many people do if there’s no one to sponsor them before going to those countries. I went to America as a visitor, but stayed for almost 40 years. My status didn’t change until after 7 years when I got married. Give your black brothers and sisters a chance in your country, knowing that many of us are in other countries as well. What we put out will is what we will get back.!!

      • @ concern, like your head hard or something or u forgot where u came from. U are comparing apples to oranges. Let me break it down for u cause its like u slow or just ignorant. Antigua is a third world country, we don’t have the resources like USA, Canada or UK. 90% of goods are imported. We also have very high unemployment. Why on earth would u think Antigua should take in these people who can potentially box food out of peoples mouth here!! Or even worse commit crime/ we dont know if them a come from a terrorist group. they’re also known to commit fraud. Ar we nah want dem yah! Simple! Compassion can’t buy bills and food here so just shut up!

    • Africans overthrowing the government of ANU? 😂Now that’s not a bad idea; after all, it was the govt. , in cahoots with some scammer[s] why they’re here in the first place.
      According to one of them, Antigua wasn’t their final destination. All of this vitriol needs to be placed on the Antiguan govt. that peddled this bullshit of 1st.investors, 2nd.tourist and now, refugees. Who benefited from the smuggling of these people? — That’s what Antiguans should be incensed about.

      It was the Antiguan govt. that LIED: the Africans are the victims.

  10. I think Africa is the second largest continent in the world, within! is close to sixty different countries. My question is if one country is bad, isn’t it easier and less costly to travel to another African country? Unless all these countries are the same hardship wise, injustice wise and as their number one claim killing wise, if this is so, then its you the people that brought this upon yourselves with the corrupt politicians you March, die for and vote to lead you. 108sq MLS and you would gather all your finances to come to this little island none of you never even heard of and begging our government please not to send you back. Yes we Caribbean people migrate all over but it’s much easier to jump next door. Look at how many different nationalities we have here. It’s about time all these so call leaders in Africa come together and find away for all Africans to live, work and play amongst each other.

  11. I am willing to welcome them and live with them. They are very educated and innovative and I believe if we were to run to them we would be welcome too..
    I see no reason being negative expercially knowing the situation that they are currently into. If some of you had the slightest chance to rule mankind you will erase everyone and stay on your own.

    • @ honesty

      OK Birdie

  12. …these rattling bones know!
    …even, before the first flight landed on Our shores
    …that, this was a #Sham and #scam from the get go!
    …therefore, these questions remain
    .,,are they #Refugees?
    ..,possibly #Mercenaries?
    …or, maybe #terrorists!
    …but, one thing is certain
    …they’re damn sure, ain’t no #tourists.

    … now, this is a humanitarian crisis
    …and, the #scamps in Our government
    …want us, to turn the other cheek and ignore this
    …some say, we must be tolerant of the Africans
    …because, they’re just another black man
    …similar to our Nation’s population
    …therefore, we must be sympathetic
    …but, if we follow this logic
    …it’s best we, start selling #white_magic
    .,,to help these #refugees?
    ..,feed the #mercenaries?
    ..,train more #terrorists?
    .,,since, they’re not no god damn #tourists.

    …some are asking these questions,
    …what about the Chinese, Europeans Lebanese and Serians
    …and, even Citizens of the Caribbean
    …#who’re still encroaching on Our fair lands
    …why, leave them out of the question
    …because, they too have caused and brought confusion
    ..,yet, we’re not talking deportation
    ..:like we want, to happen to Our #brother-man.
    …however, their arrivals were under different circumstances

    Ras Smood aka Jumbee_Picknee
    De ‘ole Dutty Peg_Foot Bastard

    Vere C. Edwards

  13. Is anybody surprised at the outcome of this fiasco. Antigua Airways started out by showing pictures of Antigua Guatemala. We laughed and thought it was a mistake, but that was the intended destination to get them access to the US. Somebody’s wires got crossed and now the joke is on us.

    But in any case this is a weak attempt to sweep Gaston’s crookish actions under the rug. We know he is crazy but this is outlandish even for him. If we do the maths, once these Africans send for their families, this number could easily quadruple. So Gaston has failed to provide adequate water, school supplies, hospital services and so many other basics to Antiguans and Barbudans so this would be a catastrophe. Time for this crook to go once and for all.
    I don’t hear him calling the Africans deracinated imbeciles.

  15. It’s sad to see Antiguans here acting as though Antigua is such a heavenly place. Antigua isn’t heaven. Stop acting like here is so golden that no one else is worthy of being here, cause truth be told I’ve heard tooooo many stories of persons who were beyond disappointed to see a banged up, deplorable place when they first came here. This is a sad situation, and in honesty, you CANNOT blame the Africans, because someone obviously took money from them and made them promises upon their arrival.

    • Speak for yourself @Wow! You sound like a ‘glass half empty’ type of Antiguan (that is if you are an Antiguan?!).

      And if you aren’t an Antiguan, let me know the country that you reside in, and I’ll also find places – as you put it – “banged up” and deplorable”.

      I am a proud Antiguan and an investor in the country and our beautiful people.

      The only real issue I have with my country, is that is led by a terrible, despicable and nefarious Prime Minister, who hasn’t invested properly in the infrastructure, despite having enough time to do so!

      I LOVE MY COUNTRY AND HAVE ALWAYS PUT MY MONEY WHERE MY MOUTH IS … HOW ABOUT YOU?

      • Somebody is very sensitive here. You are allowing your emotions to take over here. It doesn’t matter where I am from. Yes, the place looks banged up in some areas. You yourself just said, and I quote, “The only real issue I have with my country, is that is led by a terrible, despicable and nefarious Prime Minister, who hasn’t invested properly in the infrastructure…”. Now what does that mean, that it can do with a face lift right? I love my country too, whether that’s here or there, but the truth is the truth, and sometimes the truth hurts. The only way for us to ever improve is for us to be able to embrace constructive criticisms. No need to be violent. Peace.

  16. Face it, the government know much more than what they are saying. The government through Gaston Browne messed up! They would never admit it. But that’s where the problem started and still is.

    Stop being so nasty to these people. For me, they are the victims here, not you. Empty promises, monies paid, and someone collected the monies and have a heavy pocket now.

    Today for them, tomorrow for you.

  17. Wow!
    One hell of a debate brought out by this article.
    Yet, no one has touched upon, incentives, that may have been offered to a country hosting African migrants.
    the World Bank,has an entity called G.C.F.F. global concessional financing

    • Facility. That offers host countries of migrants,,,100 to 320 million + dollars.
      Did the administration make such a deal?

      Reply

  18. Facility. That offers host countries of migrants,,,100 to 320 million + dollars.
    Did the administration make such a deal?

  19. Melford!!!! That’s what Gaston tell you to say fuh real????UPP really needed new leadership. Harold is the only reason the ABLP won.

  21. Let those innocent Africans continue their journey peacefully. Why keeping the? Since you know the truth already.

  22. Many of you Antiquans are so anti-social and judgemental and ignorant. Do you really think these wonderful Africans whom you are already judging and down grading without haven’t committed any crime really want to live in your third world country? Please be wise, no matter how many times a bird perches on a tree, it’s destination is sure but not the tree it perches on. Africans are hard working people. If they are running away from war, that should tell you that they are not looking for violence or trouble. I see you haven’t experienced war before and I pray this terrible experience doesn’t happen to you and your families. Because if it does, you will learn the hard lessons. Because you too will be foreigners in other countries begging for a place to peacefully lay your heads. Be kind and treat strangers fairly because you are ignorant of tomorrow. If you don’t want them there give them the pass to move to their destination. Then you will see that not even one African will remain in your third world country. Who do you people think you are?. Please search yourselves and you will see that your hearts are filled with hatred, jealousy, wickedness, ignorance, disregard for the pain and suffering of others, racism etc. Change for tomorrow is so very pregnant for you too. You and your generation may take the baton of war, loss, pain and suffering and be scattered in other countries like these ones. You would want to be treated fairly. So treat others fairly while in your good times. BE WISE ANTIQUANS. BE WISE AND CHANGE.

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