Donna Chaia Issues Public Apology to AG Steadroy Benjamin and PM Browne Over Belmont Land Dispute
Donna Chaia, a vocal supporter of the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) and regular guest on Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s Pointe FM radio show, has issued a public apology to Attorney General Steadroy Benjamin following an outburst over a land dispute in Belmont.
Chaia, who has farmed in the Belmont area for over 40 years, admitted to reacting emotionally after encountering heavy-duty equipment on land she considers home. In a lengthy Facebook statement, she apologized for what she described as an “intimation of disrespect” toward Benjamin and for using an expletive in a social media post — a first for her, she said.
“I felt threatened when I arrived at Belmont to meet heavy duty equipment proposing to work in my farm,” Chaia wrote. “I responded with the ‘fight or flight’ instinct in defense of my life’s work.”
While expressing her frustration, Chaia reiterated her long-standing commitment to the Belmont community and her desire to formally purchase the land she and her children have developed over four decades. “Given my work, contribution and commitment to Belmont for 40 years, I deserve to be able to purchase my farm and to live among my people in my senior years,” she stated.
She also extended apologies to Prime Minister Browne, acknowledging that she had rejected an offer from him to discuss the situation privately before her outburst. “PM, at the very least, I should have afforded you that opportunity. I didn’t. Sincerely, I apologize to you.”
Chaia further rebuked opposition supporters and critics who she claimed were eager to exploit the incident for political gain. “To the UPP, the haters, scandalmongers and detractors… You can not prey on this opportunity for political benefit,” she wrote.
Thanking ABLP members for their support during the episode—including party chairman E.P. Chet Greene and MPs Mary-Claire Hurst and Rawdon Turner—Chaia closed her message with a declaration of party loyalty and a pledge of continued cooperation with the government to develop Belmont and Briggins.
She described the ABLP as a party of “strength, conciliation, unity and solidarity,” and reaffirmed her commitment to the party’s broader goals, including food security and community development.
“SOLIDARITY FOREVER!” she concluded.
The Attorney General has not yet issued a public response.
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The consummate opportunist!!!
They won’t forgive you .. you are who you are .. the truth is most people are okay as long as you don’t mess with there food etc.. she is an opportunist and only concern about her gains … I call her a puppet that sings for her supper …
Says the queen of kiss ass on the Browne and Browne show
Antigua politics festive no wa
Turncoat!!!
Chups aplenty
There are four things that come not back again.
One is the spoken word.
Mr Speaker, I take that back.
It has already gone out.
The public has already heard.
We cannot unhear what we have heard.
So when This Opportunist utters her apology she knows very well that she achieved what she meant to.
Her utterances show how much control the turn coats have over the ALP.
The GASTONITES can do as they wish in the ALP with impunity.
Can she take back the embarrassment she caused the MP, Attorney General, Minister of Public Safety and most senior Sane parliamentarian?
Never………..
The Minister knows that as a lawyer if something is said in the court it can lead to a mistrial.
No amount of taking back can save a case from a mistrial.
Obviously Madam Oportunist has more power than the AG in the labour party
You already showed that you are not afraid to stand up and speak out. You are no robot but human. That when it comes to bread and butter and roof over your head you are not afraid. Which is your democratic right. Most of us would have reacted that way as well. This was no political issue, it was a survival issue. I am not a member of no political party. What I do try and understand is what 40 years of hard work and dedication, amidst hurricanes and droughts in the burning sun could shape one’s temperament on this issue. If I was in charge i would have valued your years of sacrifice and investment and give you the same deal as the Barbudans,$1.00 . Now since they are going to sell you the land, you should not have to pay more than 0.50 per square foot as the price was 40 years ago. In war friendly fire does the worst damages. You were up against friendly fire.
The Pm is not one to hold malice and will forgive you, one of his closest and strongest advocate. Cutie who is a more selfish and pretentious , bad minded and hypocritical individual if he holds on to what said, he can store it in his fridge. He has done far worse to Antigua and Antiguans. That is his legacy.
As a born Antiguan and a mother hen at that to spread out your wings and defend your chicks and your territory is nothing but commendable. Although your words could have been chosen better- you are real , you are the Donna who defended Rasta and dread locks. You were one of the butter skin pretty gal that did not make society to define you . These is no friendly way to defend from a Mongoose. Someone should have said Donna lived there , Donna’s farm is located there.
Those heavy duty operator should recognize the difference. That this is a pit of paradise. To call someone and say what about this farm with all those beautiful fruit trees.
Time for us to be more conscious from Captain Browne to Lover Boy Cutie.
Donna I understood your pain and your reaction. Donna is Donna. Apologize if you have to but one thing for sure is that everyone knows that your farm should be off limits. That all farms are sacred and the politicians will now be on guard comrade or no comrade.
F**k you
@Frankly Speaking, in food insecure ANU, why weren’t other farmers farms off limits; shouldn’t all the farmers actively farming be afforded the same privileges? Or is that only reserved for the staunchest ALP supporters?
Is Antigua’s food insecurity really a priority to the country leaders — or will food become a tool to use for control?
Let us flip the switch for a few.
If Donna was still in the UPP and she did that to a Minister or the AG, hell, she won’t even have to apologise. All now she would still be fuming and frothing from the mouth. She would still be cussing.
If is Labour, her a*@se would be out the door without the land. But then again, nobody in the UPP would punish her for her conduct. They flex that way.
So the apology? She defamed Harold Lovell and had to apologise. The apology was almost one, then she went on Pointe and walked even that back. Of course, Lovell did not react.
Put Gaston Browne in Lovell’s place. You think she could have tried that with Gaston?
No respect.
Can’t run government with no respect.