United Progressive Party (UPP) Political Leader Harold Lovell has criticized Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s handling of the LIAT issue, suggesting the nation’s leader lacks the skill required to get consensus among his colleague prime ministers on the beleaguered airline.
In an open letter this week, Browne said if the majority shareholding group of LIAT is opportunistically allowed to collapse this regional institution and form a new entity without honoring the institution’s liabilities to creditors; this will be a form of “State banditry.”
But Lovell, former aviation minister, said this is not the type of language that is needed at this time.
“We’re in a very serious and very difficult situation and you require at this stage the art of knowing what to say, when to say it and to whom to say it,” Lovell said.
“I recall in 1974, the then premier of Antigua and Barbuda, George Walter, he was able to get not only Venezuela, but he was able to get 11 CARICOM countries to come together to really rescue LIAT at the time. The famous 1974 bailout. That required a certain amount of skill where you know how to bring people together in order to get the desired result.
“When you start using the type of language that the Prime Minister likes to use , I don’t think you begin to open doors. You close doors, and this is a time when Antigua really needs as much goodwill as possible,” Lovell added.
Pointing out that “we are going down the wrong track,” Lovell said he had ministerial responsibility for LIAT for a five-year period, and he knows what’s needed at this time.
“I was Minister responsible for Aviation between 2004 and 2009 and I have had the opportunity to meet, to discuss, and I have an idea of some of the difficulties that LIAT has faced. This is not the first time that we are here. After 1974, we had great problems with LIAT and LIAT almost went belly-up, and at that time the options were the same — to restructure, to leave it as it is or to collapse it,” he said.
“We have not restructured. We have not restructured in a meaningful way … A lot of the governments have been saying we need to find a way to restructure. LIAT is not easy to carry and if the governments of Barbados, Antigua, St Vincent and Dominica cannot carry LIAT, obviously there’s a deep problem and we keep kicking the can down the road.”
Meanwhile, the UPP Leader said Antigua and Barbuda needs to leverage its advantages.
But he goes even further.
“We need to slim down LIAT, we need to recognize that a lot of things that we have been doing as far as LIAT is concerned need to be done differently,” Lovell said.
“We need to look to see how we can build allies. We should be reaching out to the CAL [Caribbean Airlines] to see whether we can find ways with CAL and with other airlines that use the same aircraft, the ATRs, so that we can get economies of scale in terms of insurance and other costs that can be shared; like ordering of parts.
“All of these things require a certain degree of leadership that can reach out, build bridges, mend fences and find ways to reduce the operating costs for LIAT at all levels,” he added.
LIAT’s management is not without blame, the UPP leader said.
“The management of course has to take some blame and they’ve certainly been hammered because over and over again you see a lot of bad decisions being made and LIAT is suffering,” Lovell said.
LIAT’s Executive Management staff are highly paid, with salaries ranging between US$15,000 and US$25,000 monthly, excluding benefits and allowances.
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You know Harold. If you have nothing to say just hold your peace. Cause now you really sound stupid. The PM wrote a perfect letter to his shareholder partner. Outlining his vision and pleading with them to reconsider what they are doing. And pointing out that killing an institution like LIAT now could easily see in the future some other institution go under. And Sir Walter did not do any thing diplomatic. He did what others failed to do and got a loan for LIAT. So again it was Antigua that had to come to the rescue of LIAT. But tell us what you did when you where on the drivers seat. How did you ensure that LIAT kept flying, or cut cost to be more lean and mean. It was under your stewardship that you allowed Barbados to become majority shareholder and put Antigua at a major disadvantage when it comes to making decisions. You put $8million in LIAT and didn’t demand one share for that. Now that money is dead. All that because you lack understanding of finance and economics. And what the PM always calls Value for Money. Your entire stewardship over our finances is riddled with examples of where you lack understanding of basic financial and economical principle. You close a loan deal with Credit Swiss for such a high interest rate and didn’t even had an out clause in it. For everyone knows, even if the interest is high now in the future money could become cheaper and one must be able to pay off expensive loans with cheaper loans. But no not you. It was sealed lock stock and barrel. No way out until the end of the line. Anyone would be glad to lend you money if you are that gullible. Lovell you were and still are a total waste of time. You didn’t mention anything new above. Your only problem with the PM is his style. Well so far his style has worked for him. And no one has been able to give him a bad deal. You could not close the WIOC deal, He did. You could not settle the ABIB debacle which you created, He did. You could not settle the car park deal, He did. You could not settle the SembCorp debt, He did. You could not settle the APC debt, He did. And the list goes on and on. So take my advice and don’t open your mouth when it comes to financial issues. Just sit back listen and learn. What you mean with style I would interpret as kissing asses and bend over backwards for others.
I believe you are the one who sounds incompetent. Harold said nothing wrong. It’s just about having tact and grace in a sensitive time like this instead of force and belligerent words to other leaders. That’s his point. Harold isn’t saying he isn’t on his side, but just to thread lightly. Shaking my head. It’s like people read without meaning these days.
All that Harold is saying is exactly what the PM is proposing. LIAT needs to be reorganized. But Harold never likes how the PM speaks or addresses issues. He also was on Butch Steward side when the PM told him he cannot hold on to our taxes. A deal that was signed by smart Harry. Same smart Harry signed a loan with Credit Swiss for 13% over the life of the loan with no opt out. clause. Smart Harry. Everyone has screwed him over and over. The PM is direct and a straight talker. And people have come to respect him for who he is. Harold is a ass kisser and a slime ball. And those people are dangerous. Ask Joanne Massiah and others that left the UPP. He is known to throw others under the bus when it comes to it. The sad thing is he will have to answer in court how come a bus that was a donation from the People of South Korea ended up in his name.
Sidelines: Let your words be soft and sweet.Just in case you have to go back and eat those same words.Taste like chit.Antigua and Barbuda as one Nation is still in the bowels of APC.They are still in the drivers’ seats up to this day.Could you as a Gaston Browne insider tell us why.Who are the owners and shareholders of that company,APC. Are there any Cabinet Members involved with that Company?I would like to know.
Listen again you guys like to make all sort of suggestions and insinuation. Why you guys always pretend as if you don’t know how we got here with APC. It was the UPP that caused APC to take the government to court and won a big fat claim of over $200 million. But it was the cleverness of Gaston and his Cabinet to settle the issue with a win situation by extending the contract for another ten years allowing APC to make their money that they would have lost. And in the mean time the plant becomes ours. Win Win. Look how Lovell cost us millions of dollars in interest payments of the Half Moon Bay force acquisition. Interest as high as he purchase sum. That is money thrown through the drain. Lovell has not once apologize for his misdeeds. A man like that should never again be allowed to sit at that seat. He has done enough damage to our country.
This is one many reasons that opposition Caribbean Politicians failed. Don’t know and when to opposed. The issues of LIAT is a national one and stop playing your foolish political tribal games. The PM is absolutely correct and looking out for the best of his country. Don’t you find it strange that these so called misleaders have all the plans of other airlines arrangements. Taxes, routes etc. That what you called conspiracy?
@Colombo Harold is not opposing the fight for LIAT. He is saying your PM dont have any tact.
May I suggest to you that I can’t vote in Wadadli. I am not blinded by tribal Politrickians games. You blind followers don’t even realize that the Country is bigger than UPP and ABLP. Wadadli PM is absolutely correct in his stance and style.
I agree with you one hundred percent and more. And just when you need Antiguans to speak with one voice you have this tribal leader sending his tribal signals to Barbados and St. Vincent.
We are where we are now because the UPP allowed the fox in. They opened the door and allowed BDS o become the majority shareholder. Rather than opt for equity we went the debt route which ensured we had less say in the direction of the airline. Harold does not understand that sometimes you need to make noise (sometimes with a gun) to shoo away the fox
Harold? One question! Why did you kick the can down the road?
Yes Lovell. This “strategy” will certainly win you the next election. You are well on your way to becoming the next PM.
🤣🤣🤣🤣nah bother gas he up man. He might actually believe you🤣🤣🤣🤣
ANR please correct your headline. Lovell is NOT the leader of the UPP. Mrs. Arrindell is.
Once again the WORST FINANCE MINISTER IN HISTORY of this country has surfaced with another feeble attempt at scoring cheap political points. This is the face of the man whose legacy is one of draining the economy, taking us to the IMF and cowering to the yardie abst bully. Goodluck Antigua. This is your potential Prime Minister.
We went through the 2008 financial crisis under Harold. He steadied the ship it wasnt easy. We had contraction in the Economy. The ABLP made it political and denied the 08 crisis. Not a single govt worker was fired. The country adopted an IMF program we got a 2% loan. Under Harold we had the CABI initiative. We had Bau panel which had export capacity but of course the ABLP lacked forsight and killed it. Your genious pm got a loan at 10% to pay off a 2% loan. Harold and UPP publish the IMF reports for all to see. The ABLP in office for 6 yrs and they not allowing the IMF to release the reports of their stewarship. We were told YIDA would provide 200 million yearly for 10yrs. The hotel by the Sheik at Morris Bay. Paradise found on Barbuda by Packer. I can go on and on when it comes to worst anything its Gaston Browne. I use to think Lester had it locked but the economic power house it a train wreck. the worst finance minister moniker is already reserved for Asot. However Browne’s tenure as FM has the potential to destroy the entire financial sector.
@ JUJU BEARD
Your are the BIGGEST Jack Ass in Antigua.Stop opposing for POLITICAL Expediency . Prime Minister is fighting to save L I A T. No wonder why the UPP will remain in OPPOSITION.
The problem with the UPP is that They are behaving as the Government. UPP is still in shock from the ASSING They got on 2018 and will get it again in 2021.
You guys are not getting tired trying to spread lies and see if anyone would catch you doing so. You really think Gaston would borrow money at 10% to pay off an IMF loan of 2%. You’re not even funny suggesting that. Lovell who had year after year negative economic growth and Gaston who had year after year positive growth of at least 5% and even was named the fasted growing economy in the region. And you want to compare that with Lovell. Give me an aspirin. When you come here and make contributions please be a little more serious. Or at least start with saying”this is a joke”
Harold Lovell, you sure know how to pick ’em!!! What ever made you think that you would have scored points by your headlined piece to the world criticizing Hon. Gaston Browne’ s handling of the LIAT debacle. What a contrast in leadership. Anyone who is still unaware of PM Brown’s forthright, brash even, no-holds-barred, unabashed approach to problem solving, especially in defense of this fair country probably resides under the soggy rocks where Lovell and his band of outlaws have taken refuge. The current saga of LIAT we all know, is being driven by a mottley of odd fellows, each with its own self interest and with a deliberate attempt to bury the Antigua based LIAT, and on top of that to have Antigua foot the bill to cover their spineless asses. You too are one of them, Lovell – spineless. Our PM has called out the US for its blatant refusal to pay monies legally due to this country. Your response? How dare (Hon) Gaston speak to the US like that? Bambalaylay! When the Hon. Gaston Browne spoke out forcefully in defense of the sovereignty of Venezuela against US aggravation and interference…. Your response? Silence, frozen with fear. When the Hon. Gaston Browne had to put Butch Stewart in his place for perpetuating illegal practices against the people of this fair land… Your response? Siding with the exploiter against OUR interest!!!! So now you come again with the same tactic, using a file photo which might fool some into thinking you are a young, thoughtful, knowledgeable savant instead of the proven incompetent, no-balls/wasted balls, nearly seventy year old old man that you are. The fact that you continue to allow yourself to be advised by the likes of Gisele Isaac speaks volumes. PM Gonsalves is already well past seventy and, like you, seems about to be confined to the dustbin of Caribbean history. Mia Mottley…. she clearly is not as she appears to be. On the outside she appears to be an intelligent, strong, capable individual, but good for what, to whom. Mia Mottley has now become the leading mouthpiece of POMPEO, that character from the Donald Duck entourage urging Caribbean governments to tow the line in order to benefit from the United States New Caribbean initiative offering tons of money for Caribbean governments’ complicity in dismantling sovereign states in the region which refuse to espouse US increasing and overt acts of imperialism in the New World. What a shame! Mia, is that you? And these are the character with whom our spineless leader of the Opposition would have us sit and sip. Lovell, wheel and come again. As a matter of fact, don’t come again… ever!!!
Three THUMBS UP
Anon. Amen…You said it right.. These spineless Caribbean Politrickians and blind followers are still sleeping through the revolution. They’re so miseducated.
Harold my advice to you is “SHUT your mouth” and study the UPP . Your UPP is having so many INTERNAL problems and you cannot handle these issues . How do you expect to handle the Country ???? You had ten years and You really MESSED UP. All of the UPP Candidates in the upcoming election will lose Their deposits.
That is sound advice, but too bad he won’t listen to you since you are NOT Gisele Isaac. She is the real champion bubblah in the UPP. She is a key reason the party is in shambles and a failure. She is the real dictator. Lovell sarf like pap.
@ HAVE MERCY
D GISEL ISAAC is not a likeable Person. She is the DOWNFALL of UPP. Harold is a BUOY on the UPP
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