Lovell says Cabinet Notes’ claim of a gas hike in 2014 is ‘another big lie’ by the Browne Administration

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Harold Lovell, Political Leader of the United Progressive Party (UPP) and former Minister of Finance, is rejecting as “another big lie” the assertion that there was a hike in fuel prices in 2014.

 

Cabinet Notes published today, March 17, claim that the UPP Administration, in 2014, increased the price of fuel at the pumps in an effort to “increase tax yield,” adding that “there was no global crisis” at the time.

 

But Lovell denies this statement, calling it an “outright fabrication.”

 

The last increase under the UPP was in 2011– to $14.99 per gallon – and this was eventually reduced to $13.50.  Between 2011 and 2014, Lovell explains, the price of oil on the world market fluctuated between US$100 and US$124 per barrel.

 

Accordingly, he notes, the average consumption tax collected by the Spencer Administration during that period was $26 million a year.

 

Collections between 2009-2014, Lovell’s tenure as Finance Minister, are confirmed as follows:

 

2009:        $34 million

2010:        $45 million

2011:        $36 million

2012:        $21 million

2013:        $23 million.

 

It has been widely argued that, even when the cost of oil dropped below US$30 a barrel on the international market, the retail price under the Antigua Labour Party Government remained unchanged.

 

This enabled the Browne Administration to consistently rake in, on average, $65 million a year in consumption taxes, with a high of    $80 million in 2016.   Pundits say the Administration was collecting as much as $6 on every gallon of fuel sold.

 

Reports say the Browne Administration collected more than $64 million in 2019 and $79 million in 2020, on account of the very low prices on the international market.

 

“And yet,” Lovell says, “the cost of fuel at the pumps in Antigua and Barbuda remained the same.”

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55 COMMENTS

  1. I am beginning to feel sorry for this man. Maybe I will just give him my vote…nottttttttttttttttt

    • JUST SAYING I would suggest to you that rather than feeling sorry for Harold Lovell, you should feel sorry for Gaston and his government for their incessant, barefaced lying. They operate as if their statements cannot be fact checked. Gaston and his government are the greatest exponents of the BIG LIE theory of Joseph Goebbels. In fact, Gaston and Max Hurst are the greatest exponents of Goebbels theory.

      • Tabor who are you trying to fool- in 2014 in February GAS IN ANTIGUA WAS 16 plus per gallon- 2014 March or April it was reduced 2 14.95 per Gallon and after the June 2014 election ABLP reduced it to 12.50 ec per Gallon. Y’all THINK people forget like the Water Situation…

        Y’all can’t fool nobody

      • @CHARLES TABOR
        Charlie hope all’s well with you. This is always Eric ( The RED). I know I am a thorn in your side. Check out the following results of election 2023.

        ABLP ALL 17 SEATS

        UPP 00 SEAT ( SIX CANDIDATES LOSE THEIR DEPOSITS)

        DNA 00 SEAT ( ALL CANDIDATES LOSE THEIR DEPOSITS)

        BARBUDA 00 SEAT

        TOTAL LANDSLIDE VICTORY FOR ABLP.

          • SHIP no poll was conducted by Peter Wickham or anyone else. Those election results that ERIC (THE RED) constantly talk about is just a figment of his warped and delusional mind. Some people believe that he is sleep walking and will only wake up the day after the election when the UPP will be celebrating victory at the polls.

        • IF GASTON FEEL HE BAD, TELL HIM TO CALL THE ELECTION, NOW.
          BUT GASTON FRAID.
          HE KNOWS THAT HE IS GOING TO LOOSE

      • Charles, do you recall Harold loveLIE being on a show on Observer with another man and Harold made a statement and the man replied “MR. LOVELL THAT IS NOT TRUE! THAT IS NOT TRUE MR. LOVELL” and he sheepishly quieted himself because the man caught him in a BOLDFACE LIE!

        Now will u tell dave lester payne to bring the RECEIPTS to medical benefits so they can close his file???

        • You too lie! Name the programme, name the man.
          hmmmmmm, smh, really, well, well well the same person

          • Darren Ward. Observer AM morning show.
            But Darren never did it again, because he was reprimanded not to ever embarrass the leader of the UPP like that on Observer Radio

    • You were almost dormant recently but after you were chided for not supporting your party, u finally found your tongue and spewing garbage. Would it be ok if I said, PROSTITUTION?

      • @ ROVI

        Who the Hell is this Guy ERIC ( THE RED ) ? He is resonating with some People. I was speaking to someone last week. The Person told ME that He read a poll in the Antigua news room be EIRC ( THE RED ) STATING ABLP will All the seats

    • ANA..SALOME

      Hope you will to PONTE FM 99.1 tomorrow from 4pm until. Your IQ will improve. Ana Salome you will STOP spewing all those RUBBISH.

      • GREAT MINDS DISCUSS IDEAS
        PETTY MINDS DISCUSS PEOPLE

        GASTON BROWNE FALLS INTO THE LATTER CATEGORY ( and so do you!)

    • Lovell is a SPENT FORCE!!!!
      SPENT on IMF
      SPENT on WADADLI POWER CAN’T
      SPENT on FENCES
      SPENT on RUNWAY (overspend)
      Lovell is a SPENT FORCE!!!!!!
      Mr. P.I.T.

      • HEY smh, hmmmm really and the other names you use to try to fool people that the ABLP is still popular.
        PARTIAL LIST OF ABLP FAILURES

        YIDA
        YIDA GUN FACTORY
        YIDA GIVE AWAY OF CONCESSIONS
        YIDA NO PERFORMANCE CLAUSE
        YIDA BUFFER ZONE
        500 HOUSES IN FIVE HUNDRED DAYS
        CALLOLOO QUAY
        MARRIOTT HOTEL
        BEACHES HOTEL
        RENDEZ-VOUS BAY RESORT
        SHELL BEACH PROJECT
        WALDORF ASTORIA
        PARADISE LOST
        CULCINA HOTEL
        CAN’T SELL JOLLY BEACH BECAUSE NOBODY TRUST THEM
        VALLEY CHURCH RESORT
        SUNNY HILL RESORT
        HALF MOON BAY RESORT
        WILLOUGHBY BAY RESORT
        MARBLE HILL BUSINESS RESORT
        NATIONAL HOUSING BURNING MONEY-IS WESTON SAY SO

        5 MILLION TO COMRADE MAX FOR DELUXE CINEMA
        GAVE AWAY CONCESSIONS SO HE RENT HIS HOUSE
        ONE FIRE TENDER
        LOSS OF CANADIAN VISA STATUS

        GHOST CEMETERY
        HOW MUCH DID THE CHARITY IN POINT GET
        CEMENT FACTORY -WHERE THE CEMENT FACTORY

        THIS IS JUST A PARTIAL LIST

        WELL, WELL, WELL LOOK AT ABLP FAILURES

        • You can try to guess my identity from now til Harold Lovell loses the election 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

          You still didn’t answer the question posed to u little anna banana WADADLI POWER CAN’T or CAN’T PARK?

          • You can write a list long to Mcneesh Mountain…WE VOTING LAYBA AS THE NEXT GOVERNMENT. Tek dat in you nenen.

        • @ana salome

          TEK DAT

          ABLP 17 SEATS

          UPP 00 SEAT

          DNA 00 SEAT

          BARBUDA 00 SEAT.

          landslide victory for ABLP

          • THE LATEST POLL

            UPP 12 SEATS
            ABLP 4 SEATS
            BPM 1 SEAT
            UPP THE NEXT GOVERNMENT

            ERIC THE RED CRIES FOR A YEAR AND A HALF

            TEK TAT IN YUH NENEN

  2. Can anything this Harry guy says actually be trusted? He’s not going to get my vote. Actually, none of my friends on the cornor are voting for him either. They REALLY do need a new leader, and they do have some capable people.

    • He is LOSING HIS MARBLES 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Richard Lewis and Damani waiting patiently for Lovell to get his final ass whooping at the polls from Melford. Then those which remain can desperately ATTEMPT to salvage the party!

        • You can write a list long to Mcneesh Mountain…WE VOTING LAYBA AS THE NEXT GOVERNMENT. Tek dat in you nenen. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

          Jonathan Joseph already told us who to vote for ” you did it 8 years ago and you must do it again. VOTE ABLP!!!!🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩

          • You are just embarrassed because of the ground fakings!
            Vote Labour all you want! Who cares! LABOUR WILL LOSE THE ELECTION.
            Gaston knows it! That is why he is afraid to call the election

        • @ anna..salome

          Is it your job to match People in this forum ? Ana when someone DO NOT agree with your RUBBISH , YOU START your stupid matching.

          • You are just embarrassed because Gaston’s list of achievements is so short.
            In fact it is one line:
            SELF ENRICHMENT.

            Have you heard of the man who was so broke before he had a high office.
            Then became filthy rich in office.
            PRIM: is that you smh, hmmm, well well well, really.
            Is that your new name

    • HI RC, are you still bitter. That is ok if you don’t vote for him. Many others will.
      Are you still trying to stir a pot

  3. Where are the #fact #checkers. Lovell’s assertions can be easily verified, to prove #WHO’RE the liars and who’re the thief’s.

      • @Skyewill…recently, I heard Mowlyn Joseph read from a prepared document regarding Dave Lester Payne, and I think the only details which the report left out was the colour of his teeth.
        What I’ve observed, and this is from both UPP and ABLP, they only #fact #check to embarrass individuals and not to correct the problem(s) within the system. The Kem Warner investigation also comes to mind.

        This is where DNA should be picking up steam, as in, not only #fact #checking these reports but bring litigation(s) in the Courts, to force a change to the system. JoAnn Massiah is an attorney. I’m sure, that she can prepare some cases, on behalf of the public, similar to the Southern Poverty Law Center, the AFLCIO, the LGBWTPA, etc do for their people.

        Antiguans, Barbudans and Redondans sal lakka corne-pork annah tun #Fat-Meat!

  4. KING LYADD LOVELL LIMPY JOE IMF ROMANTIC RHYTHMS WADADLI POWER CAN’T ABST HOTEL RIPOFF you really grasping at straws boy. Member a you plunge this country into the IMF latrine. We won’t lose the care of our brains and EVER put u back in government!!!!

    You are a “SPENT FORCE”!!!!!! Your time is long past. Your next seat could never be in Parliament. Your next seat is on the Wilmoth Daniel STRIPPER POLE BUS 🚌🤣
    Enjoy the ride Limpy Joe.

    Keep your CARDIOLOGIST on speed dial for all the side effects from the limpy Joe tablets wreaking havoc on your weary heart. 😩

    • Wow! Continue to tempt the universe to bring misfortune to you and your family.
      When illness enters your home you will only have yourself to blame.

  5. Now that the Labour Party has swung its big stick on the motoring population by increasing refined fuel prices such as gasoline and diesel. Did they by omission, external pressures or coercion not follow suit with an increase in jet fuel? Please clarify with a direct straight forward answer.

    • Also, don’t care about no politics. Just would like to know if these figures are correct. That’s all.

  6. grabston browne is a vampire and not a state man,only about money and what he can grab, parasite…$6 on a gallon is an abuse, 25% one time hike in the middle of a pandemic is outrageous,greedy and wicked set of ppl.

  7. “he Cabinet notes that there was no global crisis in 2014 and the incumbent UPP administration raised the consumption tax in order to increase tax yield from the sale of gasoline and diesel.” Cabinet pree release this week

    You can always win an argument when you put words in someone mouth, then attack what you authored. The IMF 2012 consult published in 2013, has in it a statement by the then government that they would increase the fuel tax, along with value added tax (on most things) from 15% to 17%. Persons need only visit the IMF website or google IMF 2012 consult Antigua. The gas price was not 13.50, but 14.99 when UPP left office. One needs only look at the 2014 budget statement done by HL in Jan 2014, and in it he states the price of gas at 14.99 (as on Jan 2014). Clearly the statement that it was reduced to 13.50 between 2011 and 2014 was the usual Harold Lovell lie

    • Dave needs to bring the RECEIPTS!!!!
      Dave needs to bring the RECEIPTS!!!!
      Dave needs to bring the RECEIPTS!!!!
      Dave needs to bring the RECEIPTS!!!!

  8. @ ANA SALOME

    There is NOTHING SCIENTIFIC about your POLL. You pulled your polling from thin Air. Shows how SHALLOW you are…..Listen to BROWNE AND BROWNE on POINTE FM at 4pm today. Your IQ will improve TREMENDOUSLY.

    • Your poll was pulled from the sediment of the BROWNE ( pun intended) dirty wate that comes through our pipe. Well, whenever water is on.

      By the way, what ever happened to Gaston promise that we would have water in 14 days ( that was way back in 2014
      What a lie!
      What ever happened to the 500 houses in 500 days
      What a lie.
      Will those lies be discussed on POINTE FM

      or will you hear the dictator curse people.

      GREAT MINDS DISCUSS IDEAS
      PETTY MINDS DISCUSS PEOPLE.

      ASK GASTON WHY HE FRAID THE CALL THE ELECTION!
      LATEST POLL

      UPP 12 SEATS
      ABLP 4 SEATS
      BPM 1 SEAT

      UPP WINS BY A LANDSLIDE

      TEK DAT IN YO NENEN

    • ERIC (THE RED) no doubt you listen to the Browne & Browne show religiously every Saturday and it does not look as if it is helping your IQ. However, I am not surprised at that since I cannot see how the rubbish and lies that emanate from that show could help anyone’s IQ, not even you who has such a low IQ to begin with 😂😃

  9. @ CHARLES TABOR

    Whenever I see you at the courthouse I shall introduce Myself. By the way my IQ far exceeds Yours and CRAZY ANA SALOME.

    • ERIC (THE RED) meeting you would be great. I am looking forward to that. The IQ part I will leave alone.

  10. POINTE FM 99.1 Ana Salome check out the Persons communicating on FACEBOOK while BROWNE and BROWNE is on Radio.Last week is was 1200 plus. Biggest listening show in the CARIBBEAN. TEK DAT IN UR NENEN.

    THIS IS FOR ANA SALOME and CHARLES TABOR. The BLUE KOOLAID destroyed Thrir VRAINS.

    • HAH! HAH! HAH! You can believe your own lies if you want to.
      Not every one is as stupid as you.
      Remember:
      GREAT MINDS DISCUSS IDEAS
      PETTY MINDS DISCUSS PEOPLE

      Continue to listen to POINTE FM. IT SUITS YOU!

    • Surprised more people not on Facebook. You know a lot of us Antiguans lack analytical skills and are foolish like Ba Ba sheep.

  11. Are you a defendant? Your crime is certainly stupidity
    Remember:
    GREAT MINDS DISCUSS IDEAS
    PETTY MINDS DISCUSS PEOPLE.

Comments are closed.