LETTER: Responding to LIAT 2020’s Ownership Claims

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LIAT 2020’s CEO, Hafsah Abdulsalam

Letter to the Editor: Responding to LIAT 2020’s Ownership Clarifications

Dear Editor,

I am writing in response to LIAT (2020) Ltd.’s recent press release addressing the confusion and skepticism surrounding its ownership structure. Like many concerned citizens, I find it difficult to accept the company’s attempt to distance itself from Air Peace Nigeria Ltd. and its CEO, Mr. Allen Onyema. The statement issued by LIAT (2020) Ltd. seems designed to pacify rather than clarify.

The press release claims that Air Peace Caribbean Ltd. (APCL) is an entirely separate entity from Air Peace Nigeria, yet it offers no substantial proof or transparency to back this assertion.

Given the striking similarities in the names of the two companies and the fact that Mr. Onyema has been linked to deals involving LIAT, it is only reasonable that people question his involvement.

This skepticism is further fueled by the secrecy surrounding the agreement signed with APCL and the government’s refusal to make public the full terms of the 70/30 ownership split.

Moreover, the claim that Mr. Onyema holds no shares or directorship in APCL feels like an attempt to bypass the public’s legitimate concerns.

As some of the commenters have astutely pointed out, ownership structures can be complex, and ultimate beneficial ownership is what matters. Who truly controls APCL? Without transparent disclosure, the assertion that Mr. Onyema has no involvement is difficult to believe.

This is not a matter of speculation; it is a matter of trust. The public deserves clarity. If LIAT (2020) Ltd. is genuinely separate from Air Peace Nigeria, why not publish the agreements and dispel any doubts? Until LIAT provides more concrete information and opens up about the entities behind its operations, many will continue to feel that something isn’t adding up.

The people of Antigua and Barbuda—and indeed the wider Caribbean—have a right to transparency, especially when their governments are involved in such high-stakes agreements.

I urge LIAT (2020) Ltd. to put its claims of transparency into practice by sharing the full details of the ownership structure and agreements that govern its operations.

Sincerely,
Honeymoon Done

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12 COMMENTS

  1. Why is the photo of LIAT 2020’s CEO, Hafsah Abdulsalam at the top of the letter.
    On such an important matter ANR is treating this issue as another click bait.
    It’s going to take some time for the principals involved to find another angle from which to spin this hoping it goes from the public consciousness like other important issues.

  2. Lookout for the flory of announcement from the Government to push this off the front page before the end of the day.

  3. You know some people are really ignorant of corporate laws and show their stupidity by the questions they ask. We had the same stupidity going around when Liat 1974 was put into receivership. The Union convinced the workers that the shareholder governments were liable to pay the severance to the workers. All the shareholder government said they were not, because corporate law separates the owner from the business. And the shareholder is only liable for anything of the company to the amount of his portion of the share capital is these are not yet fully paid. In order to see who are the shareholders of Liat 2020 all one needs to do is to get up their lazy backside and go to the Intellectual Property office on Bishop Gates Street and do a Company search. You pay for the search and the information is provided to you. Antigua doesn’t have Blind Trust therefore any shareholder name is public. The only way for people to hide is to let another overseas company holds the shares. E.g. a Trust Company in the Cayman Island. And they do have secrecy laws. Reason why many Rich Americans hide their wealth in shell companies in the Cayman Islands. I remember one years the American Presidential Republican runner Mitt Romney was confronted with that fact. So it is not strange that the Founder of the Air Peace has nothing to do directly with LIAT 2020. He may have been the most influential person to have made sure that the deal came through, but those shares in Liat 2020 are not his. But of course everything in Antigua is not about the facts and what is obvious. It always has to be brought in political terms. Look what Gaston Browne brought us in again. And that becomes their talking points. And therefore our people will always be dumbed down. Just like the Barbudan have always been told that they own the land in common and it was handed down to them by their slave masters the Condringtons. And now even when the highest court in the land, the Privy Council has ruled that the Land in Barbuda are Crown land, they refuse to admit and accept the ruling.
    So writer you keep asking for proof. A proof you can easily get from the Intellectual Property Office.
    Because as far as I see it, you either really ignorant and dumb, or you deliberately trying to fool those that are stupid enough not to think for themselves.
    You chose which one you are.

  4. Like everything happening in this world, black humans are up against the might of the “Western world”. That is not to say that we shouldn’t be concerned. The owners of the airline and the airline itself will also do everything possible to momimize the fallout from this extremely serious lawsuit and we cannot trivialise it either. We as citizens must act responsibly too.

  5. @Forget,it is crystal clea³r that you’re to deflect and attempt damage control with all your incoherent, pointless diatribes.
    All this government has to do,as suggested by the article, is publish the agreement. Why don’t you suggest that to them to clear up the shady dealings.
    And LIAT is not the only questionable, murky dealings of this corrupt government. You can try all your inconsequential deflections, the public deserves better.

  6. @Forget,
    Interesting moniker you use given Antiguans “forget” things overnight even when it’s critical to their well-being.
    Your comments are not surprising.
    Gaston and his supporters has always attempt to use reverse psychology when they are caught. It consistent with the modus operandi of ABLP and its supporters: Attack, insult and degrade when caught.

    Given the original statement issued concerning LIAT 2020 ownership; it raises additional questions . and no attribution to its origins or author.

    It’s an example of the low regard with which the Government holds the public. Pretty soon we will hear just like the Alpha Nero disclosing may affect the deal.

    Do you really think the answers to the ownership of LIAT 2020 in in the records of the Intellectual Property office, readily available to the public?

    Your statement “He may have been the most influential person to have made sure that the deal came through, but those shares in Liat 2020 are not his.”
    Where is your proof? You have none. You are just a shrill for a corrupt
    government.
    Leave Barbuda out of this. The Privy Council ruling says much more than its Crown land. Go read it.

    BTW: LIAT1974 and LIAT 2020 has not had any scheduled passenger flights to Barbuda for over 25 years.
    Barbudans have thrived without LIAT.

  7. @Barbuda J’ aime October 16, 2024 At 12:42 pm
    “Do you really think the answers to the ownership of LIAT 2020 in in the records of the Intellectual Property office, readily available to the public?”

    I keep saying time and time again I will not argue with stupid people. Because you guys are wearing me down. I’m giving public information that is out there for everyone. If you want to know who owns a Company you pay your search fee and they will give you the information. That is no secret. Antigua and Barbuda has no “Blind Trust.” Directors and Shareholders are recorded in the register of companies. And I told you the only way they hide their names is to have a foreign incorporated Trust hold the shares. And the Law Firm who incorporate the company will act as agent and usually holds a director seat on the board. That is how our Lawyers make most of their monies. Corporate business is big business.
    Anyway enough with you and your stupidity. If you want to know who owns the share go the Intellectual Property Office and pay your search fee. https://abipco.gov.ag/searchtheregister/

  8. @Less We Forget
    Your commentary moniker is apropos
    For you selectively forgets
    Again when you attempt to put foward coward specious nonsensical comments; and try to insult because you have no defense, it reflects on you by highlighting your shallowness.

    No one needs to go through the books of the registry. It’s the GOAB obligation to detail the ownership.
    That’s how transparent government works.
    There are no state secrets here that endangers the population. There are no existential threats to the people. Release the information.

    Who wants to leaf through those dirty grimy books. Years ago when I was last there. It is amazing how those records intellectual books are kept.

    Tattered book/type binders that are available to the public for review that can easily be tampered with.
    Given the recent developments, and to the degree that there is a change in ownership it is imperative The GOAB explain the ownership of LIAT 2020.

    The Government proudly announced that Air Peace is 70 percent owner of LIAT 2020 on numerous occasions. Until the indictment no announcement was made in ownership changes.

    The article and the pictures are out there with Chet Greene and Onyema signing the agreement in Lagos where in Air Peace became 70 percent owner of LIAT 2020.
    Now that Onyema is indicated in Atlanta, all of a sudden he has no affiliation with LIAT 2020

    You, like Gaston when you have no defence; It’s obfuscation and insults hoping the issue goes away and as you tag yourself “its forgotten”

  9. LIAT 2020,LIAT 20,OR LIAT AIR PEACE.PLEASE FLY YOUR PLANES TO ANY AMERICAN TERRITORY AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.FOR YOUR “MAMA GUYING” WOULD NOT WORK THE FEDS.

Comments are closed.