Prime Minister Gaston Browne and his operatives have chosen to personalize my refusal of his invitation to the CoP Meeting in Brazil. However, I stand by my decision and enjoy the support of my colleagues, the Executive of the United Progressive Party, and discerning members of the public.
In an October 20 press statement, I called for an independent investigation into the scandal involving the procurement and distribution of vehicles by the Ministry of Public Works — a scandal that has gripped not only residents, but the Diaspora and the region.
I have also recommended that, rather than transfers initiated by the Prime Minister himself, the persons implicated be relieved of their positions until the investigation is completed.
Then, on Observer AM on October 28, I added that the entire Ministry needs to be investigated, as workers there have alleged that a greater fraud involving aggregates is taking place.
Given that the UPP is involved in educating the public on this scandal and mobilizing residents to demand an investigation, I do not see how it would be appropriate for me to accept the Prime Minister’s invitation to leave the country at this critical time.
In addition, I contend that the invitation was not extended out of any genuine sentiment, but out of an effort to undermine public confidence in my efforts to hold the Prime Minister and his wife, the Minister of Works, accountable for the offenses that took place.
The Prime Minister’s malice was confirmed when, on Saturday, November 1, the host of his radio program called and attempted to question me about allegations related to the scandal.
Ironically, the host has made no known attempt to question the Works Minister; or her reassigned Junior Minister; or the transferred Permanent Secretaries and other public servants at the Treasury; or the implicated Customs, Port and Transport Board staff.
I will not allow the Prime Minister’s disingenuous invitation, with his well-known spinning of facts and exploitation of photographs, to undermine my position and that of my Party and right-thinking residents.
I take this opportunity to say, again, that an independent investigation into the scandal – and not political maneuvering – is warranted.
This is a non-partisan issue, and I call upon all conscious residents and responsible organizations to echo this call and to support our efforts against the Prime Minister’s attempts to suppress the truth.
Meanwhile, I and the United Progressive Party assure the public that we remain committed to the management of climate change and the actions required to support it: advanced research, collaborative solutions, and strategic alliances.
We will also continue to advocate for eco-sensitive approaches to development here in Antigua and, especially, on Barbuda.
We recognize that the slowing of global warming is essential to our lives and livelihoods, as was recently underscored by the devastating passage of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica, Cuba, and Hispaniola, for whose recovery and rebuilding we continue to pray.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
Well said, because this climate thing is a hoax according to trump, because he knows how many bombs the military industrial complex sells annually and how much explode toxic gas into the atmosphere daily without a complain by these same climate organization that is monetizing it, but those same climate organization say a cow fart is methane gas and want to eliminate the vow that is beneficial to human survival.
now all the politicians especially these intellectually lazy ones in the Caribbean that can’t create any industry are trying to cash in on climate change to line their pockets. And we all know Gaston sanction the destruction of the mangrove and swamps and sea beds once an investor pay him topping it of with buffer zone.
Why you don’t hush you mudda skunt ’bout hoax?
I feel compelled to give a long-winded comment on this one.
I respect the commitment to transparency and accountability regarding the current issue/scandal. However, I do not believe that declining the invitation to attend the CoP Summit was the best move.
Climate change touches our coastlines, economy, homes, and survival as a small island state. A global platform like CoP offers opportunities to shape international support, secure resources, and strengthen our influence in climate policy.
Those opportunities do not come every day. So, when they do we should show up. Accepting the invitation would not have meant endorsing the government or forgetting the call for accountability. It would have demonstrated national focus and the ability to handle multiple responsibilities at once.
Attending would have proven that even when we disagree, we can come together to champion the interests of our people and our nation.
The ONE AND ONLY DULY ELECTED LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION IS THE HON. LARS JAMALE PRINGLE .
Well said, because this climate thing is a hoax according to trump, because he knows how many bombs the military industrial complex sells annually and how much explode toxic gas into the atmosphere daily without a complain by these same climate organization that is monetizing it, but those same climate organization say a cow fart is methane gas and want to eliminate the cow that is beneficial to human survival.
now all the politicians especially these intellectually lazy ones in the Caribbean that can’t create any industry are trying to cash in on climate change to line their pockets. And we all know Gaston sanction the destruction of the mangrove and swamps and sea beds once an investor pay him topping it up with buffer zone.
Is he planning to FINALLY make an honest woman out of the people dem pickney???
Yawn 🥱
Everyone knows the real reason.
You are a laboRAT.
I knkw that now.
Pringle ……We would like you to explain the document that exposed you in VEHICLE GATE. You damn hypocrite…. When will you stop being a PUPPET ? I am sick and tired of you acting like an ASS. I read this article and know you did write or understand the content. Sick and tired of your CRAP.
The invitation to accompanied the Prime Minister to the COP30 was made way before there was any Vehicle Scandal as you guys call it. But of course Pringle needed a reason not to go. As it would look bad for him to his party and supporters. They still cannot mature politically. The same thing they could not stand when Tim Hector took up the offer from Lester Bird to represent the country. And they kicked out Donald Halstead because he represented Dato Tan who was the investor in the Guiana Island project which they protested against. That is the Standard of Operation that the UPP has. You cannot work together at no time with the party in government. You should always be against them. In everything. They will therefore never be mature when it comes to politics.
🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤡 🤡 🤡
Pringle please tell Giselle stop write you them long long epistle. Antigua NOT go read it. I didn’t even read more than half of it S everyone knows those are not your words, they are the words of your puppet-masters as Mr. Knight refers to them.
So let me get this, by attending an important conference abroad on a topic you claimed the party is committed to, for a few days, will jeopardize the call for this independent investigation, so as the opposition party none of your colleagues can hold the forth down while you’re away?
Im confused wasn’t the invitation extended before the scandal broke
yes it was. PRINGLE JUST DUNCE!!!! DUNCE, DUNCE, DUNCE.
The man cannot properly manage is own domestic affairs however he is expected to manage the affairs of 100 thousand plus people.
Go figure see why people refuse to take the UPP seriously?
Ps so what about the other two?
We conflate and do not intellectually stimulate. It seems sequential thinking, one thing at a time approaches are more effective than dialogue and constructive discord.
Mr Pringle you reduced the office of the opposition when you competed with others to get a contract to collect dead animals around the city and its environs our opposition leader must be above board when they people demanded an inquiry into the Romantic Rythms Saga you kept quiet even though you knew that it was warranted and this now says to every one that you are bias and cocked eyed you don’t seem to understand user role as the opposition and should resign
Should he go anywhere with Gaston? ABSOLUTELY NOT. He will either try to humiliate him every chance he gets or brainwash him.
If Pringle was smart, he should have turned down the invitation on some personal ground, but nominate someone from his party replace him.
Let Gaston reject the replacement and tell the nation why.
But then the guy is not smart, and his puppet master can’t think well politically.
Pringl3 tap hide behind a Man Cow pantsuit boss. Be a man, not a mannequin!!!
I am in agreement with the Hon Jamale Pringle 100%…. That’s my opinion.
You do realize sir that you can multi-task and that there are many other things that are going on at the same time that you can actually participate in and not focus on only one thing?
The COP conference is what…..a few days?
Why do people on both sides of the table think that if they actually work together that the whole world is going to end? They seem to forget that they are BOTH there to serve the Antigua and Barbuda public.
Time for parties to stop undermining each other because when you do, you actually undermine Antigua and Barbuda.
Red and blue are both in our flag man. Time for all of us to come together!!!
Bronco Gassy shouldn’t even consider attending anything that mentions Climate Change, much less inviting anyone else. Go to Crabbes and see firsthand the destruction done by YIDA and Blue Ocean. The same is done to Shell Beach and he’s still soliciting funds and shaking down Diplomats for personal gains. Pringle has all rights to avoid his company, especially at a time when he’s embroiled in one of the largest theft in our Nation’s history and acting as Judge, Jury and Executioner. We need answers to our more than $15m. Let’s fix our biggest destruction first, via the law, and then we can tackle climate change.
The leader of the opposition should accept the PM’s invitation. This is a no brainer. If Mr. Pringle is not able or willing to perform the duties of his position, he should resign and let another member of the UPP’s parliamentary group step-up.
Finally, some integrity in leadership! Standing your ground when it matters most shows true patriotism. We can’t be talking about climate change abroad when corruption home stinks to high heaven.
So Gaston want take Pringle pon trip just fi tek picture wid he? Nah man, dat one too slick
That COP meeting is global exposure for Antigua and Barbuda. Pringle missing it shows poor judgement. He could’ve still called for accountability while representing us abroad.
he has to follow the DICTATES of the Man Cow a.k.a Lipstick Hag
Hahahahahaha so you decline on those grounds…. How far have you gotten in your pursuits of an independent inquiry?
Differences are part of democracy, but collaboration could send a stronger message globally.
I tired of both sides using everything as political football. The vehicles wrong, yes, but climate talks important too. Why can’t we have a united delegation for once?
Comments are closed.