Opposition MP Queries Prime Minister on Property Ownership and Government Spending
Opposition MP Richard Lewis directed a series of pointed questions at Prime Minister Gaston Browne regarding the ownership and refurbishment of a property on Friar’s Hill Road housing the Development Control Authority (DCA).
Lewis opened his interrogation by asking, “Can The Honorable Prime Minister tell us who owns the property on Friar’s Hill Road that houses the DCA?”
Browne responded, “That property is owned by an investment group, and I will disclose that my son has some interest in it.”
Browne added that the investment group is “providing rental services to DCA” free of cost.
Continuing his line of questioning, Lewis inquired whether the government of Antigua and Barbuda had paid for the refurbishment of the property.
Browne explained, “As usual, whenever property is rented, the lessee makes improvements.”
Seeking more specific details, Lewis pressed, “Can The Honorable Prime Minister tell us how much was expended in refurbishing the property?”
Browne replied, “I do not have those details,” emphasizing that the DCA had been occupying the property for over a year and suggesting that the rent accrued would likely exceed the cost of improvements.
Watch the full exchange below:
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QUID PRO QUO,THAT IS WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE TO ME.
By the time Gaston leaves Politics.Both he and his family members would more properties than all Antiguans and Barbudans combined.
Does anyone belive anything this man says?
UPP as the opposition party should have been demanding an improved procurement process, long, long time ago.
To question in Parliament the DCA being tenants of the building owned partially by the Prime Minister’s son should have been done under a demand for an improved procurement process.
This is just performance politics and not an Opposition Party doing their jobs. Elections are not won with this type of reactive politics. Love him or hate him Gaston is good at the game of dirty politics.
@casual Observer. The qualifications for being good at dirty politics is to have no shame; no moral compass and no sense of morality. It’s bad enough with ABLP, we don’t want more of the same from UPP. If Antiguans love dirty politicians then keep voting ABLP.
Nepotism at its best
The nepo babies will run and rule Antigua & Barbuda when their parents are long gone, and the rest of the country will be left – again – to scratch around for the scraps, unless the UPP are given 2-3 terms in office by the great citizens of this beautiful country, to halt this favouritism, greedism and cronyism.
The Browne family are taking advantage – at our expense – and laughing at us, while people starving!
Brixtonian…you love politics or you are a lodge guy?
Love political debates @ Inquire, but hate injustice, greed and avarice by politicians.
If I had my way, I would teach my fellow Antiguans how to create differing revenue streams, and NEVER rely on government.
If I did, I’d be poor and scraping the barrel!
I know for sure that we never heard the truth. If he is making regular, unnecessary trips to accumulate per diem and to even cheat us out of petty cash, then why would he purchase a building and allow us to use it for free? It will certainly be a shocker when we eventually learn the pre and post renovation values of that property. Everything he does is always of benefits to him.
Dear Fellow ABLP Members,
I write to you with a deep concern regarding certain actions of our Prime Minister.
During a gathering in Point Community in January of this year, I couldn’t help but overhear a troubling conversation involving Gaston Browne and his statements about Dean Jonas. He alleged that Dean Jonas was attempting to lease a property under his control to the government, purportedly to accommodate Cuban veterinary doctors. Gaston Browne voiced accusations of corruption, insinuating that Dean was leveraging his position to secure a favorable agreement from the cabinet.
As members of the ABLP, it is imperative that we seek transparency and accountability from our leaders. In light of these allegations, I believe it is essential for us to inquire about the properties leased by Gaston Browne or any of his family members to the government. Furthermore, we must demand clarity regarding the monthly payments sourced from our treasury for these arrangements. Gaston Browne is the Minister of Finance!!
The integrity of our governance and the prudent use of public resources are fundamental pillars of our society. Therefore, it is our collective responsibility to ensure that such matters are addressed with utmost transparency and fairness.
Let us stand together in pursuit of accountability and the greater good of our community.
Sincerely,
Concerned Member ABLP
@Zackie
Thanks for taking me up on my comments.
Let me be clear I wholeheartedly agree with you the Gaston have no shame, no moral compass and no sense of morality.
UPP has to more proactive and not wait until after the events to react. Rather than questioning one two or three incidents of what’s clearly nepotism; address the fact that the policies breaths corruption.
Make a case and put forward Procurements policies; that identifies corruptive practices.
It’s harder to open a new local bank account, than to get contracts from the Government.
Until there are complete policy changes with regards to the procurement of government
products and services; we will have more of the same.
Most other things are performance politics, especially in parliament, and the best performer wins. Gaston is among the best.
Woooooow
Is this also the same property that AUA occupied years ago? This country is tiring.
This idiot is not credible. How he dishonor this “honorable ” house with all his lies and innuendos. In fact, asking Gaston Browne anything in parliament is a waste of time.
However, the recordings will be there for proof of his dishonesty.
Cronyism, conflict of interest, at its best inder this clowm.
It’s called self dealing pure and simple!!!! Style it however you want. You sign the cheques, the wife responsible for the portfolio and the son is the investor. The public purse is use to enrich. self dealing.
Everyone should realize that his foolish son is just a front.
Everyone should realize that his foolish son is just a front.
This estate rental deal is not as bad as the Air Peace deal.
How can Air Peace provide 2 planes and Antigua provide 2 planes and Air Peace gets 70 % of LIAT(2020); while Antigua gets the remaining 30%
It begs the question is Air Peace a “nominee shareholder”?
As a nominee shareholder for someone else the 70% means that some of Air Peace 70% of reported ownership belong to others.
Does Air Peace hold shares of stock in the company LIAT(2020) on behalf of another person or company?
We see the MOU/ contracts with China Demands should be made to produce the Air Peace Agreement now.
@Saying
I know his son went to trade school and diploma mill in N.Y.
Nepotism and corruption pays; but I was not aware he was also foolish also.
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