LISTEN: Prominent Hotelier fully endorses plan to invest in Jolly Beach Resort

1. Its amazing that the naysayers think we can divorce SS from tourism. A former tourism minister arguing the tourism industry is too risky hemps to explain why he had problems promoting the industry. A&B is now breaking records in terms of tourism arrivals probably because the persons now in charge, have faith in the product

2. @Tenman…. Don’t worry, the UPP naysayers and apologists will soon say that Vernon Jeffers is an ABLP operative.

   One thing the UPP and its supporters are good at is not being able to recognize good sense, even if it slaps them. They much prefer to operate within the echo chamber, masticating on the cud of their own conceit.

3. Jeffers once managed Jolly Beach.
   Job opportunities are far and few under this cabal.
   They have killed the economy.
   Jeffers is looking a good paying job again.
   What better way to get it than to endorse this ludicrous plan by the governmet.
   It is not a public sector job so he doesn’t have to retire at 65 years.
   He is almost there or has already passed it.
   So if he gets a job that pays well who cares about pension..
   Thats how some people think.
   He is concerned only about his pocket and to hell with the lowly worker under his watch.
   Selfish cabalist!!!!!

4. He speaks as a hotelier and as an executive and not as one of the poor citizens and pensioners of this fair land of ours. The plight of pensioners who must depend on the meagre funds from social security for daily maintenance and survival is far more important than an individual and his opinion. Social Security funds is one fund that we cannot afford to play chess with. It is life and death for too many persons. Investment yes…..risky business NO!

   • @Audley Phillip….. Here you go again, yapping your chops at things that are out of your understanding. Keep pretending, you blue charlatan pretending to be what you’re not. You blue and yellow petticoat is showing from beneath your black pants.

5. “Prominent Hotelier fully endorses plan to invest in Jolly Beach Resort”

   Give Brixtonian a break!

   I’ve said time and time again that the ABLP, and especially Gaston Browne are totally controlled by Hotel lobbyists like Jeffers.

   Look how he come out of the woodwork like a bloated termite to boost this risky government investment that could be so disastrous for future pensioners.

   Which government official (or should I say puppet) has put Jeffers up front as some sort of promotional spokesman for this $75 Million Jolly Beach potential foible?

   Diversification of this large Social Security fund is way way better than putting all of our Treasury eggs in one wasteful basket.

   Browne must be held to account when this goes belly-up – even when he’s out of office. Why you think he talking ’bout 10 or so years down the line.

   When we Antiguans get a “first world” mindset to financial matters instead of a “third world” that takes what we are told or given; then, and only then will Antigua & Barbuda 🇦🇬 be a REAL force on the financial and global stage.

   However, this can NEVER happen if this current incompetent PM isn’t held to account on his “my way or the high way” fiscal policies …

6. I concur with every sentiment @ Audley Phillip 👏🏾

   How on earth can a fat cat hotelier lecture old age pensioners, who are struggling to survive on meagre finances talk about a long term risky investment when many aren’t even given what they are entitled to today.

   GIVE ALL CRITICAL THINKERS A BREAK!!!

   Sometimes I wish I was wrong … 🫩

7. Take the politics out of this debate. And the failed UPP former Finance Minister who bankrupted this country and tried to sell off State Insurance, the Airport and the same Social Security should shut to hell up. No pension scheme in the world is doing well. People are living longer and the young are dying younger due to their excesses in alcohol, diet and speed. No pension scheme can survive or sustain itself on the half a percent interest the banks are offering. We must think outside the box. More innovative ways must be found. I don’t know if the Jolly Beach investment is good or bad but I am willing to listen and dissect all the information. I have alot of confidence in PM Browne’s financial acumen. He has demonstrated his skill with the WIOC acquisition. The public needs to be reminded of that genius move by the PM.

8. As I mentioned earlier, more WHATABOUTERY from the Gaston Browne supporters about UPPs past governance. They’d do well to remember that their ‘do no wrong’ leader has had 11 years to correct the Social Security scheme.

   Gaston Browne’s so-called “financial acumen” has failed miserably, and if he was so brilliant at it as his supporters make him out to be, he would’ve been more transparent to one and all and the citizens of Antigua & Barbuda 🇦🇬 would have rejoiced at his financial wizardry. Simple!

9. If Jolly Beach ends up like Tranquility Bay where all the investors in their Timeshares lost all their money so Ayres could buy the property for pennies, then a big NO to gambling with Social Security. All round bad idea.

10. @Jess. If the investment fails, Social Security will still have the asset which can be sold. It will be backed by government guarantee anyway. This is different to the cabal who owned and managed the ABI Group which owned Tranquillity Bay and was being used to milk Jolly Beach. Are you aware that all suites and rooms at Tranquillity Bay were linked to Jolly Beach and never paid a cent for utilities. That is why they had to close when Jolly Beach closed.

11. I offered GM a valid way to coordinate his preferences for the Jolly Beach project, but I think he is to egotistical to even listen anyone.

    A safe bet for the Jolly Beach project, is to sell the number of units that are on offer to his CBI clients, then take that money and construct the other 200 units that he wants to add to the property. That way you do not have to touch social security, and the government still make a boat load of money.

    So I don’t see the big deal. That way he wouldn’t have to go against the pentioners wishes, and still come out golden.

    But if there is a collapse of the tourism industry , it wouldn’t be the pensioners money that’s Lost.

    A simple, but effective choice.

    And for the few who says that the government can always sell the asset, at what cost would it be sold? More than likely it would be sold at a massive loss.

12. These old simpletons can be easily lead with cobwebs. It is inconceivable that they even went to ‘modern day’ schools. If the Money-Hawk suddenly says that, on careful consideration he thinks otherwise, it’s a certainty that every last one of them would be in agreement and would put their respective spins on the story. They certainty can’t think for themselves; then again, that’s how they are being paid.

13. It has always been one of ALP coordinate pillar to celebrate it’s leader as brilliant,and that the world and Caribbean need them,can’t you remember all the brilliant Lester bird posters stock up during elections, and goons like late Raul would call to the radio air wave each morning proclaiming what a brilliant leader Lester is, they all fraudsters plagiarizing some back ground advise they were getting, in lesters case Tim Hector just help him allot, and now Ron saunders is Gaston resource man, but all the make up brilliant false accolades Gaston is getting Lennox Weston and Sherfield Bowen are two much more educated person than Gaston brown, he can’t walk in their shoes, he use to plagiarize Lennox Weston Ideas.

14. @Audley Phillip July 22, 2025 At 11:38 am
    “He speaks as a hotelier and as an executive and not as one of the poor citizens and pensioners of this fair land of ours.”
    Sometime I feel real sorry for you. Because each time you open your mouth in this case, put pen to paper, or type your thoughts, you remove all doubt in people to see how stupid you are.
    How you want to speak? He is an educated person and a hotel executive. Therefore he doesn’t chat stupidness. He speaks sensible, well reasoned, experience. Therefore his opinion is worth listening to. Not yours. Because you just chat a whole lot of doodoo. Many a time I have to tell you to think and research things before you write them. Because it really makes you look stupid. And here you go again.
    if yopu follow my comments. When the PM first put out his plan I was against it. I thought it was too risky. And then I suggested he let NAMCO take the risk. Then he publised a detail plan with all the risk guaranteed by the government. Therefore it is a win win for Social Security. They just cannot lose a dime. Zero risk. And when the PM gave more detail about the build out and selling appartments part as CIP. Then I thought even great. Monies will surely be coming into the Scheme now. I have invested in Time Sharing appartments in Orlando and St, Maarten at Mullett Bay and let me tell you, it was one of the most lucarative investement in the 80s, 90s. Now that market is sagurated. People do not want time sharing anymore. AirBnB is the way to go. If you own some AirBnB on that property with the best beach you have struck gold. You guys just do not have vision. And as far as you guys are concerned you should oppose any and everything coming from the Prime Minister. Like even yesterday Giselle keep saying the PM will take Social Security Money. Can you guys be so stupid to not understand that the PM will be going on the market to put out a bond and raise $75millions. And he will make that investment ON BEHALF OF SOCIAL SECURTITY. He will not take Social Security monies. Infact he has indicated this to be a way to payoff the bond that social security hold from the government. And in case you don’t remember it was Lovell that was so smart to move the Social Security Debt from being a current liability, Accounts Payable, into a Long Term Liability, Government Bond. And understand the different. Accounts Payable it was in the books of the government. Accounts Receivable it was in the books of Social Security. Now it is a Government issued Bond in the Books of the Government and in the books of Social Security it is an Investment in a Government Bond. It attracks an interest of about 4% now I believe. It has couple of years moratorium. So no payment were made for years now. Which means the investment is non-performing. This gives both Social Security and Government a bad name. Goevenrment which is being audited by the IMF, they will constantly insist that government do something about it. And Social Security Auditors will demand that provision be put in place for Bad Debt. Think out side of the box the PM is willing to take on a bond and within a couple of years this Bond that Social Security holds will be liquidated and they will have a performing investment in the Jolly Beach property.
    But you guys will never be able to grasp any of this. It is above you guys IQ. That is why I say the UPP is not ready at all to run this country. There is only one thing that I wonder. Are the other members of the ABLP able to step up to the plate without Gaston Browne? I really hope so. Because we have to start thinking about Succession Planning.

15. @eldread. You are just a politically polarized idiot. No need for any further response as you are.living in an alternative made-up world, far from reality.

16. First Nr. Jeffers is stated to be prominent, but on the video his reasoning is that of a 3rd Grader, and he sounds as if English is a second language for him.

    Tourism being the main driver of the economy is no reason for investing in a hotel property which has failed financially several times. Only a Third Grader would make that argument in a debate.
    It would have been more credible of Mr Jeffers stated: “I back the Prime Ministers decision for I’m a supporter of the Prime Minister. That would be an honest and rational statement.

    Covid was a black swan event, many properties across the world failed as a result.
    What will be the governance and over-sight mechanisms surround
    ing the project?
    While PM of Saint Vincents Gonsalves calls the $22.5 million house for the Bank Governor as “outrageous”

    rdless.”
    Despite Gaston Browne’s insistence that no wrongdoing has been found,
    he acknowledged the flawed
    tendering process, the failure
    to flag financial irregularities, and the alarming lack of routine updates on such a high-stakes venture.

    What can we expect from the Jolly Harbour investment venture.

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