Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle has raised concerns over the government’s handling of the Cancer Center in Antigua and Barbuda, questioning the circumstances surrounding its compulsory acquisition and subsequent sale.
Speaking on Observer Radio, Pringle said, “The Cancer Center closed down because the owners seemingly ran into some financial trouble and they were negotiating with the government. I guess that negotiation fell through and the government would have, through Parliament as they did with Alfa Nero, compulsory acquired the Cancer Center.”
Pringle noted that despite the acquisition, the public remains in the dark about key details of the transaction.
“I heard it was sold to some people. To date, we have not gotten the name of the company that it was sold to,” he said.
Pringle added that while a well-known local surgeon was reportedly involved in discussions, the group associated with the purchase is “riddled with lawsuit as it relates to the said treatment of cancer.”
He criticized the lack of transparency, stating that the public deserves to know who now owns the facility and under what terms it was transferred.
“We are in the dark as a nation,” Pringle said. “Unless it seems as if the Americans or it’s being put before a court in one of these larger countries, because even if they are in the courts here, they are not comfortably acted upon as if it’s in an international court.”
Pringle’s comments reflect broader concerns he raised during the broadcast about the government’s lack of openness regarding major transactions and public assets.
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OF AN OPPOSITION LEADER, GIVEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES… AND THE SITUATION FOR OPPOSITION COULD NOT BE BETTER.
Yes the situation could not be better. But what are the factors.
Pringle as the political leader who got the position by default; is now surrounded and advised by a group looking for BIG positions should UPP win.
Those individuals, some of whom live abroad; know they can manipulate him.
The ABLP is delighted knowing as long as Pringle is the UPP leader; in any election inspite of all the ABLP problems at the moment.
All they need to say, is that Pringle is not suitable to be Prime Minister.
ABLP are masters of attack and degrade, and many Antiguans are enjoying the prosperity of ABLP affiliation.
And that’s what the game is all about.
The Ecumenicals behaviour shows. It’s not about principles, value or good governance.
The Opposition Leader has not earned the respect and or confidence of the public.
The ruling ABLP Government don’t care about the public. And that the conundrum in which we find ourselves.
To late now.
Pringle should have been beating drums the drum from the very beginning. Not just after the multimillion dollar lawsuits.
This will get more North America media coverage and have a more negative impact on the reputation of Antiguan and Barbuda than the Alfa Nero
File lawsuits, as groups private citizens. Use the Courts just like the Russians are doing and what Americans are doing to Trump and Musk.
When Jamale talks, NOBODY should listen. Most of the topics he chooses to tackle are way above his capacity and grade. That Center was NEVER a government owned/controlled center. That was the original arrangement set up by the UPP under their then leader, Baldwin Spencer. The fact that their investors turned out to be fly-by-night incompetent jokers resulted in the failure. Now if the government can, through diligent and intelligent means find a medical interest with the competence, means and interests in operating the Cancer Center, then why the hell not???? Cancer care and treatment are among the most costly for governments ALL OVER THE WORLD. The Government of Antigua and Barbuda, even (or maybe especially) if run by the likes of Pringle and his tin soldiers, would never be able to afford the operating costs of such a Center taking into account what goes on at the Government-run MSJMC!
Outlandish demands and expectations, low personal financial and social responsibilities should be a serious wake-up call for sensible people that opposition forces are trying to manipulate through destructive and idle chatter.
Just don’t follow the lead of the UPP and his brainless clowns. Proper investigation, due diligence sound negotiations must at all times be uppermost as the search continues for the best solution.
For someone who claims that he is in the dark, he knows a lot.
Pringle might not have been the best choice to be the opposition leader, but he has clearly and certainly undermined his own integrity and ability, by allowing himself to be dictated to and be controlled, by a Chairman who is thirsty for power, and whom a lot of the UPP supporters had never loved or wanted..
What is now happening to Jamal Pringle, is that the wrath of the UPP supporters has descended on him, for allowing a Spiteful, vindictive and Disdainful Chairman, to outterly cripple the once formidable opposition party..
The Chairman has now slink away, awaiting for the UPP to regain its momentum and acquire Office, so that she can return, and control a UPP Government.
This is her plan, not realising that the UPP will not be in Government, with her being around..
Pringle needs to get rid of this Chairman, and stop risking the fortunes of the UPP.
well the record shows that UPP’s ALEX BROWNE vote AGAINST acquisition of the cancer centre. School children say karma turn around and ketch he in he arse……wonder if he back fro Colombia yet?
The great defender of this shady administration who refers to her/himself as Faithful National #1 would defend this administration even on his/her death bed, just wondering when that head will exit Gaston’s backside
Lack of transparency is a default resort button. When these guys come with that complaint listen for what comes next because they will next spout spurious information, misinformation. I do not know what else should have been shared about the cancer center negotiations that had not been shared. We were told that the cancer center closed its doors without consultation nor intent with the government (Ministry of Health). Because of how important cancer treatment is to the Antigua Barbuda and the OECS, the Government tried to negotiate a price to acquire the facilities from its owners. When those negotiations fell through the Government went to Parliament and enacted laws to acquire the said facilities so that others who could facilitate treatment and who were driven to do so could have a ready space in which to do so. I wish that the Leader of the Opposition will tell us how he would have handled the situation differently. To criticize is easy; to come up with solutions is where the Opposition Leader and the UPP are at best moribund. The Opposition Leader should tell us what knowledge he wished he had so as to declare that the Government’s engagement of this particular issue was transparent. Anything short of having a video camera in the negotiations space live-streaming as per the Opposition Leader’s complaints demonstrates lack of transparency. So here is my simple ask, ANR: Have the Opposition Leader declare how he would have handled the matter differently and with specifics not with generalities. Criticism is easy but coming up with alternative solution attempts is the real challenge. I’m just saying.
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