REAL NEWS: Leader of the Opposition Jamale Pringle says this morning’s meeting between the Governor-General, a United Progressive Party delegation, and members of the clergy was very cordial, and he continues to be optimistic that His Excellency Sir Rodney Williams will do the right thing.
During the 90-minute meeting, MP Pringle presented a petition circulated by Concerned Citizens who are requesting that Sir Rodney convene a Commission of Inquiry into several related issues.
These include the genesis and operations of the short-lived Antigua Airways; the eventual stranding of hundreds of West Africans here; and the fallout this has caused nationally and further abroad.
Pringle reports that the petition, so far, has garnered more than 8,500 signatures and that the drive will be continued.
Sir Rodney is reported to have listened carefully to the arguments put forward by the delegation. But, he reminded them, he must consult with his attorneys and with the Administration before he makes a decision. Accordingly, Pringle says, they are prepared to give him time to do so.
In the meantime, the Opposition Leader is concerned that the fallout from the Browne Administration’s actions will likely affect the viability of regional integration, since Antigua and Barbuda’s government has shown itself not to be trustworthy.
He is referring to the fact that Prime Minister Gaston Browne recently reneged on his agreement with St. Kitts to accept about a dozen Cameroonians who were rescued at sea after their attempt to get to the US Virgin Islands failed.
Since the migrants were coming from Antigua, Pringle points out, it was only reasonable that they be returned here. However, this good-faith agreement was unilaterally broken by Browne. The Administration had promised to “do the right thing,” Pringle says, and then turned around and did the opposite.
The Immigration Department’s last official count of the mainly Cameroonian visitors was more than 600 persons still on island. But in a press conference held in early April, the Department head acknowledged that a couple hundred might have left the country by unlawful means.
Ironically, there were allegations made today, May 17, that only 19 of these visitors remain in Antigua. It is widely believed that most of the West Africans left – and continue to leave – illegally by boat, headed for countries that will get them closer to their ultimate destination: the United States of America.
There are just too many unknowns, Pringle concludes; and, since these could create the opportunity for greater fallout in the region and further afield, a public inquiry is needed.
This morning’s delegation comprised Pringle, MP Anthony Smith, Jr., MP Kelvin “Shugy” Simon, Senators Shawn Nicholas and Johnathan Joseph, and Bishop Rolston Jeffery, Pastor Paul Andrew, and Pastor John Athill.
The group had the stated support of Barbuda MP Trevor Walker and, reportedly, of independent MP Asot Michael, as well.
A source says that a significant number of police officers was on the premises of Government House ahead of and during the meeting.
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If Sir Rodney Williams is a REAL patriot and loves Antigua & Barbuda, then he will do the right thing and call for a thorough investigation.
And if he doesn’t, he’s then putting Gaston Browne before country.
BE BOLD AND BE BRAVE GOVERNER GENERAL SIR …
… and stand up to the Prime Minister, just like Asot Michael once did, and try not worry yourself if Gassy 🥸 threatens to tump you up!🥊
Who is this Brixtonian, he needs to get a job! Some little man hiding in a dark hole chatting sh-t everyday! As the saying says “Man with mouth like batty chat sh-t all the time! Get a job raise you little head in 5 years. Stop backing the dunce Pringle…. The potato chip
Why not respond to the topic at hand you damn idiot!
Why is it that every time anyone comes up with a different viewpoint, the first thing that the ignorant and uneducated can think of is to whine, cuss and blaspheme.
That’s a clear sign that an argument or debate is lost on you. Sad, but true @ Born.
BTW, what’s your views on an independent investigation into the human smuggling into Antigua?
Yes you are a dumb little man hiding in some hole acting as a tool for the other dumb people in the UPP. These brothers weren’t traffic they knew exactly what they were doing when they left Africa unfortunately they own brothers in Africa fooled them as they have fooled some many around the world to make money for themselves. To have an inquiry is another political angle which will answer nothing but spend our taxes payers money. You need to look up the mean of smuggling as it is obvious you have no idea. I am tired of reading your bull sh-t everyday! Nobody was smuggled as I have taken the time to talk to my African brothers. Maybe you should come out of your little hole and do the same. I have two of these brothers working for me and just like the Government they were fooled. However, as they say to me every day, in Africa they would be dead already if they didn’t take the risk. They just wanted to be free and live. So dumb dumb do some research and come out of your little hole in the ground.
People! People! People! Why take monies that we the people need to spend on an Inquiry which will produce these same findings. The only difference is the Inquiry will name names for a “Name and Shame” game dat de Politicians an dem damn well know nar go non furda.
Let me begin by making a reference to “Antigua Guatemala” and one can walk from Guatemala to Mexico. After some extensive research it appears that one or more TOP AUTHORITIES in Antigua along with Africans are culpable in this scheme. The scam is the African migrants were promised a pathway to USA via Mexico. Guatemala authorities would never admit so many African into their country at any given time a concocted plan was put in place to fly them to Antigua (our bit of Paradise) under the pretense it was “Antigua Guatemala” and once there, they would need to find their way through the streets of Guatemala to Mexico by walking or busing. They would then use the borders to cross into the USA as those migrants at the US/Mexico. How did they get there? Through Belize/Guatemala/Mexico or even Panama. Those Migrants are NOT only from the Spanish speaking countries but from different nationalities.
That is the reason they were seen wondering the streets of Antigua (our bit of Paradise) without proper accommodation because once in Guatemala they were to get the low down on how to make the journey Mexico/US border. Yes they all had some monies, but those funds were to facilitate them during their journey to the US border as those migrants we see on a daily basis, hence the US/Mexico Border crisis.
@Alex…the Bacchanal Festivities of Dyonisis is in full swing. I’m channeling #Bilay_An_De_Bullbud, to promote, my new Raiders of The Lost Arc invisible 3D Whip!
Care to try and take a few lashes, instead of a few drinks? You sound inebriated. Have fun at LOL, NBA, STUD etc…
The Scope of this Saga is way beyond “name and shame!” This is a matter of National Security. Treason should come into play.
Jumbee_Picknee aka Ras Smood
De ‘ole Dutty Peg🦶🏿Foot Garrat_Bastard
Vere C. Edwards
This cannot be simply just swept under the rub, it just simply can’t. Way too many lives have been impacted negatively by this crazy unfruitful venture for it to just go unaccounted for. The government needs to know where everyone of these folks are, it’s a matter of national security and can been deemed as a criminal act since that so many laws and not to mentioned treaties were broken. This stench must be cleaned up, and it starts with a investigation that would reveal the real facts of this arrangement with Antigua Airways.
Dunce Pringle and the other idiots don’t read the papers? The Governor General can’t call for an inquiry. Read Tim Hector’s article in the paper today. Instead of running around and wasting Antiguan money go and use the money the taxes paying to to go and take some speech classes. You have another 5 years to wait to get another set of blows!
Thats my point.. they keep looking at past instead of showing the people what THEY can do better
Thanks for drawing my attention to Tim Hector’s article reprinted in the Pointe Express…guess most of the opposition would not read it…the very reason they got rid of “the greatest mind that ever grace the UPP..Tim Hector ”
But history seems to be repeating itself in the current UPP opposition.
Tim Hector warned Baldwin Spencer former leader of the UPP…and I quote:
“I would like to warn Baldwin Spen- cer, my erstwhile leader, to beware of reactionaries around him seeking to lead the mass of people into the trap of elit- ism by pretending to be on the side of the people, only to betray them in deep- est consequence. History is replete with such instances.”
This same warning is extended to leader of the opposition Hon.Jamale Pringle…History will not forgive you.
@ Dexter Pelle
You have the audacity to be praising Tim Hector after all the persecution, ‘VC BIRD, LESTER BIRD, ROBIN, CUTIE , GASTON and the ABLP did to him?
You minions are so so sick
@IDIATTTTT – You seem to forget PLM prosecuted him? You forget Baldwin threw him out the UPP and many of the UPP zealots via Observer labelled him traitor? In the end Labor offered Hector solace. Can’t forget his articles speaking about the hypocrites in the UPP and suggesting that persons need to examine their horn. Its telling because much of what he predicted about the UPP, Observer publications (ie turning on the people ) ended up happening
@ Born Antiguan
How much of our tax money did Gaston waste and send 22 people to England on a joy ride that cost over EC$1,000,000.00 when that money could have been used at Solid Waste to clean up the stinking country or used for the Cancer Centre.
Says another Gaston Browne lover who worships the ground that he walks on.
Another Wotless fool who doesn’t make sense!
Do everyone a favour @ Born, go and educate yourself so that the country is not perceived as dunce by the outside world, you ignoramus.
And its so shameful that when it was election time they hated the Africans… said that they was here to help ALP… pictures of Antiguan kids was posted online with ALP stuff saying that they where Africans coming from getting there bribes… now soooo much concern… WOW
Not even a COI or related would change the fact that the opposition hears only what it wishes to hear. The government has been transparent on this issue. The opposition is merely trying to keep it in the news and pray that some dirt would be found. No evidence has been found that implicates any member of the government or even the key persons for Antigua Airline. Yet the opposition wants in essence what would be a witch hunt. Yes mistakes were made eg (visa on landing and not restricting it by nation), but the lesson has been learnt. We move forward stronger. Thankfully we have a real government in office who is willing to take calculated risks, and not be like the former one, forever waiting for the opportune time. Waiting so long until it was forced to make the wrong move (eg Half moon bay, Wadadli power plant, Lost of control of LIAT, ECAB fiasco, West Indies oil takeover…
Did Lake-tack ever went against former PM Spencer? She was a real patriot who love her country. Stop wasting time flip-flopping on Africans and prepare yourselves for the next election. Ideas on cutting this spike in crime should be on your mind, as the opposition sitting with the GG.
This saga/fiasco involving, the now defunct Antigua Airways rises to the level of the gun runnings through Antigua to South America and South Africa(see Dr. Arikana Chihombori former African Union Ambassador to the USA)which set in motion the BLOOM COOPER INQUIRY!
The same is very much needed for this present and I going Antigua Airways Saga.
Ras Smood aka Jumbee_Picknee
De ‘ole Dutty Peg🦶🏿Garrat_Bastard
Vere C. Edwards.
What a weak ass “delegation”
Anthony “fat boy” really dressed like that for a public photo?? If he can’t handle married life, how can he handle the public affairs????
The former HORSE VOICE governor General give she son illegal knighthood 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 maybe the gardener get National Hero status too. No inquiry into
-ROMANTIC RHYTHMS
– WADADLI POWER CAN’T
-CAN’T PARK
-FENCING SCANDAL
Join the line dummies…..
no wonder Joanne left these clowns behind
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