Real News: The United Progressive Party (UPP) is condemning what it describes as “the failed Gaston Browne-led Government” for Cabinet’s new mandate to statutory corporations and government-owned companies.
In a Cabinet decision dated Wednesday, December 13, 2023, these agencies were informed that, as a matter of policy, a minimum of 50 percent of their dividends on profit or surplus “should be remitted … to the Consolidated Fund,” effective January 1, 2024.
However, the executive order was dated and stamped by the Cabinet Secretariat on January 4, 2024.
The UPP is calling on the Government to leave “the people’s money” alone, especially funds belonging to the Medical Benefits and Social Security Schemes.
It notes that these funds are to be used for the payment of benefits and for advancing the corporations’ missions of social welfare and upkeep of the Nation’s health infrastructure.
If the country is in such a stable financial state and considered an economic powerhouse by the Browne Administration, the UPP is wondering why the diversion of profits is necessary.
“Isn’t Gaston Browne’s onslaught of tax increases and new taxes enough to prop up Government’s finances?” the Party asks.
Accordingly, Party officials are worried further about the country’s ’s true financial state.
They point out that this new measure regarding the statutory bodies was not mentioned in any of the December Cabinet Notes, nor in the Budget Presentation on December 15.
Further, they point to the fact that although tax hikes to fund public-sector salary increases went into effect on January 1, the Browne Administration is yet to announce when, exactly, public servants will receive their new compensation.
Meanwhile, the last of the LIAT (1974) workers will be made redundant as of February 5, 2024; and, like their colleagues who were terminated in 2020, they have no idea when the Browne Administration will pay their severance and benefits.
Many people are speculating that – despite raising significant revenue in 2013 – including record takings by the Port Authority – the Government’s income is being swallowed by loan repayments, poor investments like the failed E-book project, and the creative-enrichment schemes of Cabinet members and their cronies.
Recalling the rape of the once-prosperous Free Trade Zone by a previous Labour Party Administration, UPP Chair D.Gisele Isaac notes that, on assuming office in 2014, the Browne Cabinet was said to have raked $27 million out of the Medical Benefits Scheme’s reserves.
She says she “cannot believe they’re planning to raid the statutory
corporations again and in an economic climate like this.” Yet, at the same
time, she adds, “Gaston Browne is fooling the people with this expensive
‘free concert’ that they, themselves, are paying for.”
She was referring to the “One Nation Concert” staged by the Administration
on Saturday night, January 13, for which high-priced performers were imported.
Meanwhile, the UPP is particularly concerned that other statutory corporations are struggling financially and that most of their audited financial reports and management letters remain a secret.
For quite some time now, Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle – chair of the Public Accounts Committee – has been asking for these financial records, and even has written directly to Finance Minister Browne requesting them – but to no avail or acknowledgement.
In some instances – such as the National Housing Corporation – not one
record has ever been brought to Parliament, the opposition party alleges.
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This is indeed the greatest economic power house I have ever lived in.
Gaston is destroying the whole country by stifling us with debt and ensuring that the pockets of friends and colleagues are well lined and don’t give a dam about poor people that cannot even buy bread.
Does the ABLP band of merry men have a conscience?
It seems like Antiguans and Barbudans are being spited, perhaps because they were shafted in the 2023 election and by-election, and them knowing fully well that they stole the election in January 2023 to retain government, as the TOP DOG alluded to on Rum Shop radio.
How does Gaston, Maria, Chet, Melford, Daryl, Max, Max, Samantha, Molwyn, Robin and Cutie sleep at night? I honestly thought some of you guys had principle, but I guessed wrong.
Gaston Browne is being disrespectful by not responding to the oppositions major concerns about transparency, and how our finances are being used incorrectly.
Maybe it’s about time that WE the hardworking tax payers intervened with some sort of citizen type of coalition group, and put the same said questions to government; and let’s see if they ignore our concerns as well, if so, we could then show them the door 🚪 at the next General Election. Simple!
ABLP disrespecting governmental and Parliamentary proceedings as per usual.
Brixtonian encouraging debate and critical thinking … as always 😉
Where is the budget? How can this kind of diversion of funds be justified without publishing the numbers? Any white collar crime investigator will tell you where there’s smoke, there’s fire!
@Michael Scott…it’s #caustic, Communist even! But hey….
Jumbee Picknee aka Ras Smood
De’ole Dutty Peg🦶🏿Garrat Bastard
Vere C. Edwards
This country CANNOT last another five years with this dunce at finance. And to make matters worse, he continues to talk his nonsensical, idiot schemes.
Like @Brixtonian intimated, it’s time for the people to rise up and rid the country of this scourge call Gaston Browne.
The cowards that sit in the cabinet are all compromised and will do or say nothing except behind his back
However there are stories afoot that Pussy Salad shocked the crap out of the DAWG. Let’s start with a vote of no confidence, Mr. Pringle and a FOI filing for the country’s finances. Actually, we the people can do the same. We have to push back against this wicked government.
More monies to huff while government owe so many workers backpay and they continue to get lofty allowances for travel, utilities, transport to drive and so forth.
It is a good measure and i understand but despite we have to seek ways to reduce expenditure. The government making money but wasting/giving away even more.
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