Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, the Hon. Gaston Browne has called on the workers of Antigua and Barbuda to unite on issues of national interest and not engage in the ‘scorched earth politics’ of those seeking power at any cost.
Prime Minister Browne was speaking at the annual Labour Day celebrations organized by the Antigua Trades and Labour Union and the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party in St. John’s on Monday.
The Prime Minister referred to an article in Newsweek magazine which attempted to cast a negative shadow over the 41-year relations between Antigua and Barbuda and the People’s Republic of China.
“I say to workers in this country, when it comes to issues of the national interest we must unite. We cannot follow and should not follow the scorched earth politics of those who want power at all cost, to tear down every institution, to tear down every relationship in this country. I bring to the attention of workers in this country the recent pronouncement by the senior leadership of the UPP in which they joined with Newsweek to literally tear down Antiguans and Barbudans, to tear down our country and to undermine the relationship with the People’s Republic of China; one of the most benevolent countries in the world that has contributed significantly to the development of Antigua and Barbuda,” said Prime Minister Browne.
The country’s leader was referring to an article in Newsweek Magazine by Didi Kirsten Tatlow which attempted to paint a distorted picture of Chinese involvement in Antigua and Barbuda.
Among other things stated in the article, and supported by members of the opposition party here, it claimed to reveal information from leaked documents referring to a “Chinese-run special economic zone.” This has been proven as false as the economic zone is a private venture and not operated by the government of China.
Prime Minister in his remarks on Labour Day, spoke of the many positive contributions made by the Chinese government towards the development of Antigua and Barbuda.
“They did not have the decency to remember and recall that during the leadership of the UPP, it is the same People’s Republic of China that built out the airport facility with a concessional loan along with the Wadadli power plant, that ill-fated investment; the same People’s Republic of China funded it under the UPP,” said the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister also mentioned the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, which was a gift to the government and people of Antigua and Barbuda, along with the Five Islands facility that was repurposed to house the university of the West Indies Five Islands campus – that too was gifted to the people and government of Antigua and Barbuda during the tenure of the UPP, but yet still they have sought to demonize the People’s Republic of China and the relationship with Antigua and Barbuda,” said the country’s leader.
Prime Minister Browne however warned members of the Opposition that “ungratefulness is worse than witchcraft and I say to you my comrades, no matter the circumstances, never fail to give thanks. No matter how small your achievement, never fail to give thanks,” he said.
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I agree we should unite against opponents of progress, development and innovations. Even those who sit there in high power and offer no help, not even the basic kind or the kind they have a pre-existing duty to provide.
I agree with the PM, it is time those opponents of development and endeavors that are of national and international importance are removed from positions because they block or ignore these required development.
Antiguans care nothing about development and they will not unite to help you force or encourage those vital development. They are too brainwashed to do independent thinking based on just the merit of things, their actions and words must incorporate the defending their political party. Never solely about what is best for the entire United Islands of Antigua and Barbuda.
@my way…I was really hoping that at the end you would admit that all you post is “tongue in cheek” but not seeing anything that tells me that, I would have to say you are lost to reality.
In the early 80s when we had a hotel/building boom, workers left the government service to work in the hotel sector. This caused govt to not only saved money, but increased revenue through taxes. That is what progress looks like. Now fast forward to what this joker is doing. With the development he is referring to, nothing seems to finding it’s way into the govt treasury! Plus with the high concessions they get, one would think their workers would be better paid as in the 80s! So don’t be fooled. Living in this country does not reflect anything that the PM says, except for him and his family.
Further, I cannot understand why a model is being pursued that leaves your population poor and getting poorer. For example: if the hotels are not attracting workers, simply get them to raise their wages even if you have to give a few more concessions. What you genius govt is looking to do, bring in low income workers from anywhere practically.
Tell me therefore, who are the opponents of real, and not fake, progress.
@ZACKIE, I thought you would get it. I would being sarcastic because they refused to support my endeavor that is innovative and support development.
Wow, you really have not been reading all my previous post.
@Zackie Having experienced Covid and hotel closure, I would have thought you would have learned a lesson. I wil however admit that the hotels need to do more since some don’t see and treat their employees as important stake holders. They are too quick to replace them with cheaper labor
My way.. I see you are still crying over not getting that gun license you do not qualify for
Everyone knows the PM and his cronies are in the pocket of the Chinese government. But whether AB is under the heel of China, the US or the UK, it is the workers who will suffer, as resources are stripped from the country and workers continue to be exploited, just as they have been throughout history. The average wage in the country is abysmal, with many workers who have jobs still living in difficult conditions. Why is the PM not demanding an increase in worker’s pay and conditions, instead of cheering neo-colonialism?
I find this statement misleading as are most utterances from the DAWG.
No sensible individual, in a small country, with its economy mainly dependent on tourism, would oppose beneficial development for ALL.However, we must be skeptical about Gaston Browne’s perception of “development. “I am having trouble identifying ONE development under this man that is benefitting the entire citizenry.
If we say UWI Five Islands, exactly how is this entity benefitting the average man? We hear of 80 million loans from the Saudis to upgrade, improve this institution, that WE have to repay, yet what benefit is there for the average citizen?
If we say PLH, other than the spurious 12 million US and whatever else he’s clandestinely “borrowed” how does this entity benefit the country? They are completely exempt from most if not ALL taxes for God knows how long. How does this benefit our treasury. Choko told us of these “smart” investors and how the DAWG is just giving away valuable revenue.
Then there are his three SEZs that are nothing but a big time sellout of our country. Newsweek carried the latest SEZ to the chagrin of the DAWG.
What a joke this clown is!