The Prime Minister Gaston Browne has truthfully admitted that the endemic corruption in his government is caused by square pegs in round holes, and willful neglect. He also noted that this corruption, like a cancer, was detectable right across the government system, and that the public service, not just the Ministry of Public Works, was totally corrupted by private sector ‘capture’ of officials and their staff downstream.
When one considers that this corruption of the Public & Private Sector was declared by the Minister of Finance & Corporate Governance, it must be believed, because he holds the reins of cash, and has suddenly discovered the last 10 year rip-off under his administration.
The Airport and the Port both require an immediate independent audit, as two key areas where Customs control and the favours described by the PM, are openly observed transacted by the big operators of business in Antigua.
Only recently the airport took over the Customs Warehouse and sought to displace a local company licensed by Customs for 30 years to find a place for a well known businessman who wanted more direct control instead of relying on his existing facilitation.
Antigua is known internationally as the most corrupt little island in the world from its several internationally exposed corrupt encounters. Most recently, at the turn of the century one Allen Stanford practically controlled the Government, from the secure zone of the airport, where raw United States dollars were funneled by his own planes through a magnificent hangar property, into his bank, all perfectly connected on airport lands and the buffer zone.
The government had polluted the international aviation rules, by selling land inside the restricted areas of the airport to a banker, who used
airport aviation security cover to perpetrate a global financial crime syndicate over 113 countries worldwide. His syndicate locally included very senior Government Ministers, their senior administrators, his other private sector businesses and accomplices in Antigua.
This grave breach of the International Civil Aviation Organization Rules and Regulations by the sale of airport lands, which governs the Safety, Security and governance of aviation globally, stands unattended for the past 22 years. One Airport CEO sought a temporary solution by demanding that Stanford’s company sign an agreement to allow aviation control of the lands operated airside.
When Stanford was declared an international money launderer and sent to jail, not even then did the Antiguan authorities seek to resolve the violation. In 2017 former Prime Minister, and National Hero Hon. Sir Lester Bird, before he died, acknowledged the grave mistake he had made in selling the land to Allen Stanford, and begged Hon. Sir Robin Yearwood and the P.M. to have the footprint of the airport returned to its original state – to date, with no response.
Today Antigua has sought help from its own son, an international aviation expert, whose legacy includes the management of the world’s busiest airport. He has agreed to fix the airport in 3 months, making it ready for the next ICAO audit,which is expected to get Antigua its Category 1 status which it has lost. Finally the big regulatory hole in Antigua’s airport will have to be closed by regulatory procedures, in order to perfect the airports perimeter fence. This perimeter fence is relegated to confine the airport lands to retain membership in ICAO, and cease exposing businesses on RWY10 to operating in ABAA violation.
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You know I was thinking that? How on earth you are the minister of Finance and only finding out these financial irregularities and discrepancies now? I must say he must get points for bringing it to the public’s attention but he must also lose points because these things happened under him not just in 1 year but 2, no 3, no 4, no 5, no 6, no 7, oh, a lot more years that 7.
Honestly speaking and in goodfaith, this would justify a firing for any other executive. Other serious consequences too. You are Prime Minister and you are Minister of Finance, literally two major positions that put you responsible and liable for breaches like this.
I am sorry, you would have to be fire PM Gaston Browne and I am not saying this because you refuse to help victims of crimes by supporting my crime victim advocacy and research endeavor.
How can you ever be trusted and considered competent if you make these major theft occur. They are not small amounts but major theft and appropriations/misappropriation.
Can we just have some new and competent leaders? Please?
I’ve been there with Lester Bird when he invited me back after Hurricane Luis to help with rebuilding. My contract drawn up by Hessie and signed by Lester; after incurring hundred of thousands in expense, the contract and payment was never honoured.
I pains me to read this. “Only recently the airport took over the Customs Warehouse and sought to displace a local company licensed by Customs for 30 years to find a place for a well known businessman who wanted more direct control instead of relying on his existing facilitation”.
When the politicians allow and enables “organized Crime” who steals from the public. Then the public has a job to do.
Demand an Independent Investigation and a Special Prosecutor.
Playing musical chairs with an organized crime gang is to perpetuate the problem.
How can our young people pursue entrepreneurial endeavors when they are subjected to the vicissitudes of public corruption?
A business person who has built their business for over 30 years, is being displaced for a favored individual who is politically connected; that make the public sick.