Prime Minister Gaston Browne was over the weekend highly critical of a judge who he says is about to or has already made a garnishee order on the National Asset Management Company.
Browne said the order will force NAMCO, which is government owned, to pay outstanding sums to the former owner of the Half Moon Bay property.
The prime minister said on Pointe FM that the issue was a vexing one for him given the challenges the country faces.
“That garnishee order ostensibly is to repay the Halfmoon Bay debt in full. That is just… you know I want to choose my language carefully,” Browne said.
“I think that is just a perverted decision for any judge to take” he added.
He said the judgement has the effect of making HMD a preferred creditor.
“You have to understand in the context that a former administration acquired this woman’s property. My government came in, we sold it, we got US$ 23 million for it, we paid her the 23 million and we’ve paid down some of the interest cost.
“In fact, I am told too that there may be a balance of about US$ 2.8 million dollars on the principle. We have given a commitment that within 30 days we will clear that amount and we may end up owing another US$ 15-17 million dollars in interest,” Browne who is also finance minister said.
He said, “for a judge now to force us to pay that and to garnish NAMCO’s assets, I think this is extremely in appropriate.”
Although he did not name the judge , Browne said that judge maybe looking at the legal aspect but he has to also look at the economic aspect. “He has to look at the economic aspect of the country,” the prime minister insisted.
He said that judgement could not come at a worst time for the country.
“Right now we are faced with one of the most significant threats maybe for the last 100 years, the COVID-19. We are struggling to find resources to respond to COVID and to go an prioritise payment to a lady who done collect 23 million dollars already…by the way this payment that he is trying to prioritize is interest payment in which the people of Antigua and Barbuda got no value and we are not saying that we not paying it but we need time.”
Browne said Antigua and Barbuda has other more pressing issues to allocate scarce resources too.
“We have other creditors, we have lots of contractors who work for the government and have not been paid and you are telling me that a judge should have the right to just go an put a creditor at the top of the food chain and demand we must pay them.”
But the prime minister acknowledged that there is a separation of powers “and that is why I am trying to be very careful with what I say.”
He said that doctrine should not prevent him from giving his honest views. “I believe I can have an opinion on the opinion of a judge if I think it is flawed.”
“We all operate in a single space called Antigua & Barbuda and even though there is a separation of powers, where I think the people of Antigua & Barbuda is getting a raw deal then I am going to object.”
Browne said the judge wants him to give an undertaking not to sell any of the shares or assets of NAMCO “because maybe consideration is being given to attaching those assets.”
“And I sent back a message to tell him that I am not giving him any such undertaking so if he want put me in jail he can put me in jail.”
Browne said the former owner of HMB has been engaged in a series of frivolous law suits which has stymied the development of the new HMB Hotel.
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I like Policians that tell it like is… straight forward and honest. That is good representation.. Your CV people comes first…
I am feeling good, someone has put the cry cry baby in his place. “When they have power and authority they don’t give a dam about nobody.” I have too laugh at this idiot who thinks he is above the law. This HMB drama started under the ALP administration which the so call top dawg was apart off, unfortunately the UPP continued the process of acquisition. Here we go again the top dawg want people to believe he is so caring for the people of Antigua and Barbuda what a BS acting job, you fooling no one but your minions in the Labour Party. I don’t know this judge can someone tell him I need to meet him, finally someone in this country is not compromise and doing their job. The dictator will not get his way this time stand your ground judge, let no dictator tell you how to do your job. They find monies to do all sorts of rubbish, like free concerts, let them take the money out of the offshore bank and pay the woman, it’s long overdue. ALP don’t like to pay debts, If we don’t vote this dictator out of office he will surely destroy this beautiful country of ours. Let me go and listen to James Brown “I FEEL GOOD” big yourself up your honor.
Stop PRETENDING to care about Antigua and Barbuda. You already proclaimed your ALLEGIANCE TO TRUMP when you said that an A&B passport of is no use to you. Because you have an American passport and the USA does not recognize the dual citizenship. Therefore to hell with Antigua and Barbuda is your true mentality. It would thrill your heart to see this country brought down to the ground. You would sit back and laugh. Why don’t you renounce your US citizenship and throw your hat into the political ring?
@Knight in Shining Armour
It is your tax dollar making the payment to these children of slave owners. No one wins nothing to smile about. Especially after they made multi millions on the backs of Antiguans. Remember they got the land for literally nothing.
Do not let your conceit blind you, this development is not beneficial to the country.
Vote out the dictator and put in who? Single Pringle who thinks the most appropriate thing to do at this time is to table Bills in parliament while in a minuscule opposition?
I am no fan of the ABLP but the UPP decision making is in shambles at this time.
This whole issue been mismanaged from day one. UPP, ABLP both of ’em.
From ‘day one’, it was ALP under Lester Bird who took the lady land to give to Stanford. That is where it all started. Lets get our facts straight.
I dont know enough about NYAMCO. perhaps this will give us a chance to see what is really going on with this thing.
PM Browne, it is said that, “the People perish, for a lack of vision!” Ah-Men Ra!
There are times, when I ask myself, and answer as well, in regards to the vision forward, for the Nation of, Antigua, Barbuda & REDONDA, and why do we keep making the same mistakes, since, we became Quasi Independent from britain!
This mistake, which we are paying for, in regards to the Half Moon Bay fiasco, is still being made today, in terms, of several of the deals made with the Chinese, and other International Conglomerates, as they utilize Our resources, both hueman and natural to their benefit/profits, with minimal returns to the Nation.
Since, the inception of the Tourism Industry, in Our Nation, the Nation should have a surplus of funds, to mitigate any fallouts from such things, as the COVID-19, and the downturn in the world money markets, etc.
Unfortunately not; and I am in no way laying blame, at anyone’s office door; however, since, precedence speaks volumes, this judgement by the Courts, could well be the impetus which sets in motion, a series of lawsuits which could be more damaging, to the economy, than Fear Of Covid-19, especially, when more of these Chinese loans become due.
@KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOUR
Is this something for KNIGHT to be rejoicing over???? KNIGHT ..You are the most stupid Antigua I have ever met. You are not doing the Hon. Gaston Browne anything. Is the Tax dollars for Antiguans that the Prime Minister is protecting. Knight only pretend to love ANTIGUA / ANTIGUANS but He is just fooling Himself. I cannot believe what I am hearing from this Guy. I am happy that Knight supports the UPP. We DO NOT want anyone like KNIGHT to support the ABLP. Knight is and will destroy the UPP. People like Knight is the reason UPP will never be ELECTED In Antigua in our LIFETIME. WOW….I hope OBSERVER will fire Knight soon. Shame on you Knight.
He is NOT Antiguan. He is a self-proclaimed American. You need to hear that audio of him belittling Antigua and Barbuda and pledging allegiance to America. Hi heart and soul belongs to Donald Trump.
Mel because the lady wants her money she is categorized as a daughter of a slave owner? Am sure she bought the land from black politicians. The current PM’s vision is to sell all the lands to the so called sons and daughters of slave owners. I am sure you would want the same laws to protect your right to own and dispose of private property. The acquisition was started under ALP and continued under UPP. I am in agreement with the sentiments by Monitor the whole issue was mismanaged from day one. The UPP should have given back the lady her property without hindrance.
Wqà. UPP offered to give her back the land if she would drop the case agsinsy the govt but she refused. She knew she had us by the balls. Hopefully this will finally teach ALP, tje danger of taking land from Peter just to give to their friend, Paul.
@juju beard
Is the statement a fact?
Oh how foolish some folks can be as if this judgement will affect the PM and other politicians. It will be the non politicians and their cronies that will feel the brunt force; yet some say they love their country and rejoice when such measures are taken against our citizens. Maybe there are more educated fools (not sure about educated) among us….no wonder they are working the places they are. Can the government remove all liquid and future cash diverted to a safer place?
Never understood why this corporation was set up in the first place to enable politicians to control the country’s assets. Having said that, the PM and his so called eagle-eyed comrades should know what to do to protect the country’s assets. They may not have the know how, but I am sure there are knowledgeable legal minds and accountants available. There are trusts, foundations and other legal entities available.
Why should any judge not think from a legal standpoint but instead think of our economic situation?
Well we’re the ECONOMIC POWERHOUSE so we’re good!
You would like to control this judge too, hope he will not accept any bribes, like the others!
Pay up! All you do is waste our money on yourself n your friends anyway!
It is one thing to criticize and quite another to THREATEN A JUDGE like a certain former UPP MP did. He basically said that if it was in Jamaica, the judge would not be able to leave the courthouse.
This is a teachable moment for the ABLP. You just can’t seize private property to give to your friends.
The statement by the Prime Minister against the judge simply indicates how unfit he is for the office he holds. I am absolutely sure that his contention that he sent a message to the judge that he was not giving an undertaking was a blatant lie meant only for his minions and mindless supporters. Please Prime Minister be more responsible and stop being so asinine
@CHARLES TABOR
DO NOT EXPECT ANY BETTER FROM YOU. CHARLES TABOR YOU HAVE FAR TOO MUCH HATRED IN YOUR HEART FOR HON. GASTON BROWNE. IN OPPOSITION CHARLES TABOR AND UPP WILL STAY FOREVER.
@Hmmmmmmm
I can remember Brother “B” uttering those words.Those words were OK for Charles Tabor and UPP. Bunch of Hypocrites.
Listen Hmmmmmmmm two WRONGS do not make RIGHT. When Brother “B” sad that if the Judge was in Jamaica she would not be able to leave the Court, it was inadvisable for him to have made that statement although it was not a direct threat to the Judge. That is a far different matter to our Prime Minister (the head of the Executive arm of government), castigating a Judge (a member of the Judicial arm of government) because of the Judge’s decision. It is outrageous and is contrary to the principle of the separation of powers which is fundamental in a democratic society. The Prime Minister was wrong and you need to admit that. It is not about partisan politics. It is all about the proper manner and civility in which a Prime Minister should conduct himself.
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