Lewis to Browne: Prove Your Social Security & MBS Claims With a Fresh Cabinet Decision
Gaston Browne needs to stop insulting our intelligence.
Contrary to his claimed “clarification” that the Cabinet policy “excludes Social Security, Medical Benefits, and Education Levy, ensuring the stability of essential public services.”
The Cabinet note did NOT exclude Social Security, Medical Benefits and the Board of Education from the 50% payment decision.
The original Cabinet note, of Wednesday 13th December, 2023 states: “14. As a matter of Policy, Cabinet agreed that a minimum of 50% dividend payment (on profit/surplus) should be remitted by All Statutory Corporations and government owned companies to the consolidated fund effective 1st January, 2024.”
Social Security, Medical Benefits and the Board of Education are Statutory Corporations and there is no line stating “with the exception of Social Security and the Medical Benefits Scheme”.
I call upon the PM to prove to the public that a new Cabinet Decision would have been taken and circulated, which specifically excludes Social Security, Medical Benefits and the Board of Education from the 50% payment decision which was applied to all Statutory Corporations.
Further, excluding Social Security, Medical Benefits and the Board of Education is not enough to remedy this egregious and unexplained policy decision.
Other Statutory Bodies possess their own unique problems, priorities and future plans, which require them to utilize the funds Central Government now wants to claim.
All funds held by Social Security, Medical Benefits & all other Statutory Bodies should be used to pay benefits on time, improve service delivery and prepare for future uncertainties. Not to bail out Gaston Browne’s failed government.
The public of Antigua and Barbuda have been rightly asking why the Government needs this 50% payment if we have record revenue collection and economic growth in the so-called “economic powerhouse?”
The current parlous state of affairs further underscores urgency of the Opposition Leader’s request that all audited accounts and management letters from all Statutory Bodies be submitted to the Director of Audit, for scrutiny by the Public Accounts Committee. Once these financial are open to public scrutiny we will finally learn the true reason for the barrage of new taxes and other hardships.
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Well said Hon. Richard Lewis
Who the hell does Gaston think he is? This is 2024. Everything is on Facebook and WE CAN READ. Chups.
Yes we need to see a NEW Cabinet Decision proving that SS and MBS and also BOE will be unaffected by this money grab.
The entire policy is BS and ALL the statutory bodies should be left alone. As you observed they need to have their funds in hand to plan for the future and fix their operations. Almost none of them function as intended.
Excellent points MP Lewis. Again I say, the man controlling our finances is an economic dunce. Under him there is no transparency, just lies, broken promises and constant BS. Only the prostitutes on the Rumshop who are blinded by greed, seem to want to defend this dunce.
How the hell will robbing these statuary bodies “ensure stability,” when they will be robbed of needed cash? Again, these are the fanatical whims of a greedy, DAWG who is out of control
Everything you have stated sounds right in EVERY SINGLE WAY no matter how u turn it, it’s correct! Tell GASBAG tap thief arwe money he wanga belly MS. Tell Mr. POTATO HEAD tap swindle the ppl and arwe MONEY!!! Tell HITLER go to hell and dictate dung dey mek he and Satan fight um out! Tell WICKED RASS cause a na world boss arwe na want he a run arwe country! Tell he go straight to hell and na collect nothing!!!!! You’re doing a great job defending us here in RURAL WEST!!!!
IT SEEMS THAT GASTON BROWNE IS ALLERGIC TO FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY?
COME ON WHISTLE-BLOWERS, FOR PATRIOTISM, AND THE SAKE AND LOVE OF YOUR COUNTRY 🇦🇬 COME FORWARD … WE BEG UNNA.
I have been coming to this thread looking for a dissenting/spinning view but can’t find one. C’mon Bloody Bloke, Tenman, Dave Bray The man is so right not even Gaston can disagree.
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