Never forget that a year ago, in this month of March, we witnessed the tragic and fatal culmination of months of political folly and ineptitude in the Antigua Airways – Migrant Drowning saga.
Never forget that an entirely avoidable tragedy occurred, which led to more than a dozen people either drowning or left missing at sea, presumed dead.
Never forget that Prime Minister Gaston Browne never disciplined a single minister, or ordered a single credible investigation, or had published a single report, or even had the decency to appear at any press conference on the matter.
Never forget his political and moral cowardice.
Never forget that it happened because lazy, overzealous politicians, rubbed noses with little known investors, and decided to wet lease a jet into Antigua from Nigeria, paint the flag on the tail, and call it a new airline.
Never forget that it was poorly planned and hurriedly executed in time to land at VC Bird International Airport in time for Independence Day 2022 – a political gimmick.
Never forget that they approved of an investor from a Lagos printing company to run an airline. Never forget that they granted visas on arrival with seemingly no research into the potential risks associated with certain nationalities – from a continent with over 30 active armed conflicts.
Never forget that they allowed more flights in despite the alarms raised about the first. Never forget that they ignored everyone in November 2022, December 2022, and January 2023 who said that the people coming off the flights were not here for tourism but fit the profile of migrants.
Never forget the morning we learned that some had died at sea.
Never forget that Gaston Browne said: “We have taken the decision that there will be no public inquiry. So you can talk from now until kingdom come. There will be none.”
Never forget how then immigration minister, Chet Greene, bullshited his way through the entire saga, claiming that the people arriving would contribute economically by staying in apartments and buying from corner stores.
Never forget the way they disrespected the public’s intelligence, betrayed their duty to the law, and clothed themselves in impunity for the deadly consequences of their overzealousness, recklessness, and incompetence.
Never forget how they and their keyboard warriors attacked anyone who spoke of “human trafficking”. Never forget the joy they took in pointing out why what was happening did not meet the definition.
Never forget the astoundingly aloof and unconcerned Chief Immigration Officer.
Never forget that they appointed Labour Party stalwart and former candidate Daven Joseph to head up an internal “review” which produced no public report and the terms of reference for which remain unknown to the public.
Never forget how they went silent by the middle of 2023, and just stopped reporting on the status of the migrants in Antigua. Never forget how much contempt they displayed for anyone who demanded even a modicum of transparency.
Never forget the government’s first meagre and callous reaction to the drownings – a sterile press release that sought to deflect blame. Never forget how they condemned the opposition for holding a vigil while they did absolutely nothing to show respect for the victims themselves.
Never forget that in the face of a major loss of life caused by an ill-fated, government-backed, slapdash scheme, Gaston Browne and his ministers simply refused to take responsibility or be held accountable.
No one lost their job, no one resigned, no one published a report, and no one amended the rules to stop something like it from happening again.
Never forget that Gaston Browne probably pats himself on the back each night saying, “Thank God my people demand so little of me, otherwise I would have been ruined over that very deadly folly.”
Ernest J. Farfingbottom
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@ Ernest, we will never forget!
Sadly, they already have.
History is an anathema for most Antiguan & Barbudans. A few regular commentors on this forum, and staunch supporters of the ABLP, their Historical knowledge does not extend beyond the days of the Progressive Labour Movement’s defeat of ABLP in the nineteen sixties, while some of their peers will never comment on the facts provided and will vehemently support any and all wrongdoing of their political party.
My hope for Antigua & Barbuda many moons ago was for a nation of educated blacks who will eventually overcome the shackles of colonialism, that hope has died. Should we survive another two hundred years may that future generation get it right, then again slavery which began in the fifteen hundreds was not abolished until the eighteen hundreds and the twin island state will celebrate its forty-third year of “Independence” most of us are decades past that number. Forty-three years compared to centuries of brainwashing…what an utter and complete travesty.
One of this guy he’s surname is the TEFLON DON
black version,why?.
This event and that terrible day on 08/08/2021 (Teargas Sunday) when women, children and innocent civilians were tear-gassed for just – rightly – protesting against the Covid-19 vaccines, mandates and coercion.
This ABLP government would love to sweep both of these incidents under the “political” carpet, but right-minded thinking citizens will not forgive, forget or getaway with this!
You are always on point in your erudite editorial letters Mr Ernest J. Farfingbottom.
Again, much respect sir 👍🏾
Or *let them* getaway with this!
Ernest I asked you to marry me, but you never took me up on my offer!😊
You are the smartest person living on this good earth😊
Antiguans will surely perish under
This administration!
Poor Antigua, I feel so sorry for my country under this mad king!
Leadership matters!
We need to be rescued!
Many will forget. No doubt about it. Antiguans are a selfish lot, concerned primarily with their own little world, driving around in “high end” vehicles, keeping quiet because they are afraid to loose their jobs, going along to get along, and easily compromised for a few dollars more. It’s an Antiguan thing. When the call goes forth to make a stand, they cower and shake in fear afraid of standing up, even when they are being raped and sodomized.
Comfortingly, I will be among the few who will never forget. Add to this well orchestrated list, the mandating of poisonous jabs, denying civil servants who stood up their pay for two months. This colossal failure of a government, led by the biggest failure of them all, Gaston Browne, has treated us with impunity, violating all kinds of laws but just don’t care.
Hopefully, the few who have the cahones will bind together and run this guy and his cabal through the courts for the insider trading, nepotism and corruption. Additionally, let all the civil servants who accommodate this advantage be held accountable as well. It seems ALL governmental agencies, design to keep things in check, are asleep; ONDCP, Integrity Commission, Treasury, Immigration, and the permanent secretaries of every government department. When the secrets are uncovered, it will indeed be a sight to behold.
You beat me to it boss 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Here Here!
I stay out of political comment as they are all only in it for themselves!
The best leader Antigua can ever hope for, is someone that really doesn’t want to be a leader.
Never forget!
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