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Opposition MP warns of political interference undermining pension fund governance
Opposition MP Sherfield Bowen has accused the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) of politicizing the Social Security Board by appointing loyal party supporters instead of independent representatives, a move he claims has undermined the fund’s credibility and financial integrity.
Speaking at a United Progressive Party (UPP) townhall meeting at Freedom House, Bowen alleged that the ABLP abandoned the original governance structure of the Social Security Board in favour of political control, allowing party loyalists to dominate key decisions affecting the nation’s pension system.
“When it was created by the PLM government, the Social Security Board had two members representing workers, two representing employers, and others as neutral voices,” Bowen said.
“Since the Labour Party took office, the board has been stacked with good old comrades — comrades who, when called upon to hand over some money, just say ‘bring the chequebook.’”
Bowen cited names including Comrade Joseph Myers and Comrade Jerry Aska as examples of politically aligned appointments under the ABLP’s watch.
He warned that such politicization has contributed to mismanagement and the deterioration of the fund’s financial standing.
“This is the demise of Social Security,” Bowen declared.
“We need, as the law envisioned, to have representatives of the workers and the employers — people who are looking out for themselves and for the public interest, not the whims and fancies of the government.”
He argued that restoring the board’s independence is crucial to rebuilding public confidence and protecting the interests of contributors and beneficiaries.
Bowen’s comments form part of a wider critique of the ABLP’s handling of the Social Security Fund, which he says has suffered from decades of unpaid loans, missed interest payments, and financial neglect.
He has also accused the government of failing to pay rent on buildings owned by Social Security and defaulting on its own contributions.
No official response has yet been issued by the government regarding the composition of the board or Bowen’s accusations.
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Murderer! Blood is on your shoulders
Kill I today you cannot kill I tomorrow
Murder! Your insides must be hollow
How does it feel to take the life of another
Murderer! Blood is on your shoulder
Kill me today you cannot kill I tomorrow
Murder! Your insides must be hollow
How does it feel to take a life?
They heard what sounded like a firecracker. Shortly thereafter, Constable Charles went towards his vehicle which was parked in the vicinity of Bowen’s office. He saw Bowen sitting on the steps of the building which housed his office. He saw Ms. Barthley lying on the ground not far from his motor car.
A mere 5 years for human life ???,
JUSTICE FOR TESSA BARTHLEY!!
OPEN BACK THE CASE
JUSTICE FOR TESSA BARTHLEY!!!
OPEN BACK THE CASE
JUSTICE FOR TESSA BARTHLEY!!!
OPEN BACK THE CASE
JUSTICE FOR TESSA BARTHLEY!!!!
OPEN BACK THE CASE
JUSTICE FOR TESSA BARTHLEY!!!!
OPEN BACK THE CASE
JUSTICE FOR TESSA BARTHLEY!!!!!
OPEN BACK THE CASE
JUSTICE FOR TESSA BARTHLEY!!!!!
OPEN BACK THE CASE
JUSTICE FOR TESSA BARTHLEY!!!!!
OPEN BACK THE CASE
JUSTICE FOR TESSA BARTHLEY!!!!
OPEN BACK THE CASE
Emergency Medical Services were there attending to Ms. Barthley. There was blood on her neck. The detectives spoke with Bowen. He handed over to Sergeant Edwards a black PIETRO BERETTA .25 PISTOL which contained 8 rounds of ammunition. The police recovered a spent shell and other items from the scene of the incident. Bowen was detained.
a black PIETRO BERETTA .25 PISTOL
a black PIETRO BERETTA .25 PISTOL
a black PIETRO BERETTA .25 PISTOL
a black PIETRO BERETTA .25 PISTOL
a black PIETRO BERETTA .25 PISTOL
a black PIETRO BERETTA .25 PISTOL
a black PIETRO BERETTA .25 PISTOL
a black PIETRO BERETTA .25 PISTOL
a black PIETRO BERETTA .25 PISTOL
a black PIETRO BERETTA .25 PISTOL
a black PIETRO BERETTA .25 PISTOL
a black PIETRO BERETTA .25 PISTOL
a black PIETRO BERETTA .25 PISTOL
a black PIETRO BERETTA .25 PISTOL
a black PIETRO BERETTA .25 PISTOL
a black PIETRO BERETTA .25 PISTOL
a black PIETRO BERETTA .25 PISTOL
a black PIETRO BERETTA .25 PISTOL
a black PIETRO BERETTA .25 PISTOL
a black PIETRO BERETTA .25 PISTOL
Was this Social Security retirement scheme then used under the guise of self-enrichment, due to lack of transparency just like NAMCO and CIP?
The citizens of Antigua & Barbuda wouldn’t be asking these important questions if the ABLP had been a lot more honest in financial dealings.
Until we change the way we do things in Antigua and Barbuda, we will continue to get the same results that we have always gotten. Over the years, boards…..all boards are set up and constituted only to reward party loyalists and to provide an income to them. Most of them bring nothing to the boards except their names and their presence and they are incapable of even providing the very basic input.
When it comes to choosing individuals for Boards, there are few key qualities that should be considered. Board members should have a deep understanding of the organization and should be able to provide valuable insights and perspectives that can help guide decision making. Board members should also be good communicators. They should be able to clearly express their thoughts and ideas and listen attentively to others. The problem with our set up is that local boards have no power with all the decision making is invested in the Minister and the government.
WHAT THE HELL…! …COMRADES…? …FOLLOW THE ‘…KEEE’
***
THROUGH THE ‘…KEEE:’
KNOWLEDGE: …ENLIGHTENMENT: …EDIFICATION: AND …ENTERTAINMENT (KEEE),’ IT SHALL BE SEEN: that
***
THOUGH:
(i) ‘…COMRADES, (people): are
(ii) …NOT THE SAME AS: ‘…COME RAIDS (acts of criminality), ‘…A BIT OF NONSENSE (humor), NOW AND THEN IS CHERISHED BY THE WISEST OF MEN.’
***
RATS GUARDING CHEESE:
NOW, THIS NEWS STORY MAY LEAD TO AN UNDERSTANDING: that
(a) ‘…RATS MIGHT JUST BE ‘…GUARDING CHEESE.’
***
SO: ‘…COME RAID:
***
KLEPTOMANCY:
EVEN OPEN-MINDEDLY, AND NOT NECESSARILY PLACED TO COMMIT ACTS THAT SPEAK TO ‘…KLEPTOMANCY,’ IT STILL STANDS TO REASON THAT: if they
(a) ‘…COME: then they shall be expected to
(b) …COMMIT ANY NUMBER OF RAIDS.’
***
EVEN SO, ‘…RATS’ ONLY ‘…NIBBLE.’
***
WHAT THE HELL…!
***
GUARD GOOD, COMRADES: …GUARD GOOD.
***
https://socialsecurity.gov.ag/board-of-directors/
Kem Tonge
Chairman
Government Representative
Peter Abraham
Deputy Chairman –
Government Representative
David Matthias
Director – Antigua & Barbuda Social Security Board
Sherri-Ann Brazier
Director Employers’ Representative
Antigua & Barbuda Employers Federation
Martin Cave
Director Employers’ Representative
Chamber of Commerce
Alrick Daniel
Director Employee’s Representative
Antigua Trades and Labour Union
Phylis Davis
Board Secretary
Where the hell is the stacking by the government in this. And it should be known that Lovell placed the present director David Matthias there. So it is his man that is still in charge of Social Security. If Gaston Browne was vindictive as they say he would have removed David from day one. Something I think he should still do, but for different reasons.
More WHATABOUTERY from the forelock tugging, kowtowing and shoe-bottom licking Gastonites and ABLP acolytes who it seems to outsiders:
HEAR no evil , SEE no evil and SPEAK no evil of this God forsaken governmental cabal.
11 years of mismanaging Antigua & Barbuda 🇦🇬
I guess UPP didn’t have party members on any board. Y’all to “conconsah”. ALL a aryou do um. Just give me a break. What conversation is this?
WHAT THE HELL…! …@BRIXTONIAN: ‘…WHATABOUTERY…?
***
DARN NICE-SOUNDING COINED WORD: ‘…WHATABOUTERY.’
***
QUESTION:
BRIX-TEE: ‘…JUST WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?
***
COIN THEM.
***
HOW ABOUT:
‘…BRIXTONIANISM?’
***
COIN MORE, BRIX: …COIN MORE.’
***
WALK GOOD.
***
More to come @ RAWLSTON POMPEY, more to come! Not ah one ah dem ABLP supporters can take me on in word for word or comment for comment. Facts!
YOU CAN’T BEAT GOOD RESEARCH BOSS 👍🏾
When you read the comments you can always tell who are the LABOR RATS never anything that makes much sense, it’s always gutter sniping, as a matter of fact some are not even true supporters the are just Licksplittlers hanging on for a free ride on the gravy train
I guess even when faced with the truth you guys will continue as if you don’t know better. Keep it on Brix and Pompey.
I know I’m here reading this Article, but quite frankly, I for one do not want to hear a thing about SS and it’s use to invest in any hotel chain, especially a failed hotel like Jolly Beach.
I told you’ll that Gatson has made up his mind already about this project, and his invitation is just a ploy to have people talking about it to bolster his already made up mind.
Anytime someone is arguing about something so hard, they have already made up their minds, so Gatson Browne is not looking for a debate to talk about any issues, period!
He already have his backers, and he already have parliament, so why would he need any input from the public or the opposition?
He is only trying to appear transparent, but will end up doing what he already have in his mind, so debating him is useless.
Look at the man’s track record people. Did he come to anyone in the past over any of his foolish moves? You name it, Alpha Nero, vehicle tax hike, the Antigua Airways debacle, the 2% tax hike, Lait2020 and his 100mil deal with Air Peace, all the deals with China.
All of these were done without the public input, other than those who whispers in his ears.
So y’all are wasting time.
Time to change up the strategy UPP, and stop arguing with this man. He will never listen to y’all, never.
“This large receivable due from Government is a result of Government’s failure to make most of its contribution, interest and loan/bond payments in cash for the majority of the Fund’s first 35 years.” 2009 SS actuarial report
Someone needs to remind the turncoat that the a actuarial report in 2009, points out that since its inception, subsequent governments have been delinquent in making payments to SS. This includes PLM, ALP (before 2014) and UPP. The current government, ABLP, has recently admitted that its 2 years behind and plans shortly to make the payment that it wishes for SS to invest in a CIP real estate project. Lovell in essence argues a government bond with low yields and high risk is better than an investment in our number one sector