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Members of Parliament from the United Progressive Party (UPP) have issued a unified rebuke of the government’s handling of the Alpha Nero superyacht, accusing the administration of moral failure and financial opportunism.
In a rare show of solidarity, five UPP MPs — Jamal Pringle, Algernon Watts, Richard Lewis, Sherfield Bowen, and Kelvin Simon — appeared together on Observer Radio over the weekend to voice their concerns over the controversial sale of the luxury vessel.
MP for St. Mary’s South, Kelvin Simon, said the proceeds from the yacht’s sale should have been directed to Ukraine, referencing the international sanctions that led to the seizure of the vessel in Antigua.
“Even if they went through with the sale, the government’s moral compass should have instructed them to give the money to the people of Ukraine,” Simon said.
“Why should Antigua benefit while Ukrainians are suffering from the effects of the war?”
Leader of the Opposition Jamal Pringle took the matter further, suggesting that the government’s decision may have been driven by its urgent need to manage public debt.
“When you look at what the funds were used for — paying off bonds that should have already been up to date — it raises serious questions,” Pringle said.
“If we’re really on the verge of becoming an economic powerhouse, why did it take the Alpha Nero sale to pay those loans?”
MP Richard Lewis supported that claim, breaking down the figures associated with the sale. He said 80 million of the 108 million Eastern Caribbean dollars raised had gone directly toward debt payments.
“That’s the majority of the funds,” Lewis said.
“It suggests there was an ulterior motive from the start — to use the sale as an opportunity to pay down outstanding debts.”
St. Philip South MP Sherfield Bowen raised concerns about the Port Authority (Amendment) Act, introduced the same day Parliament debated the Alpha Nero issue.
He warned the new legislation could damage the country’s reputation among yacht owners and financiers.
“How can any boat owner or banker feel comfortable sending their vessel to Antigua when we have a law that allows the government to declare a vessel abandoned, sell it, and nullify the collateral?” Bowen asked.
The Alpha Nero case has divided public opinion along political lines.
But within the UPP — a party recently plagued by internal rifts — the issue appears to have brought about a rare moment of unity.
The government, for its part, has defended its handling of the matter and secured a recent legal victory in court. Prime Minister Gaston Browne continues to maintain he acted with integrity and dismissed the lawsuit filed against him and other officials as “frivolous”.
In a Facebook post dated 11 April, the Prime Minister described his opponents as “hapless, treasonous desperados”, writing: “Their hope for success shall end in gross disappointment, depression, and failure.
No weapon formed against those who God favours can prosper.”
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Browne may well opine about “No weapon formed against those who God favours can prosper”, however, in Romans 12:2, the Holy Scriptures highlights the importance for DISCERNMENT against unscrupulous behaviour:
“Do not be confirmed by this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may DISCERN what is the will of God …”
Furthermore, it is good to witness a unified stance amongst the Honourable stalwarts within the UPP in regards to the furore about Gaston Browne’s direct involvement with the Alpha Nero super yacht fiasco.
Gaston Browne unifying the UPP … who would’ve thought that? 🤣🤣🤣
Why the HELL UPP members don’t fix Their internal problems and stop grasping at straws ? None of you Guys will win your seat next election , bunch of clowns. A couple of Saturdays ago, you Guys were bashing each other now you all sound DESPERATE. Hide your damn face.
If the funds were really misused, there should be an investigation. Why are we just taking Browne word for it … We all know how he can be a liar… I just find that whole situation fishing
UPP making noise again… Free up on Browne
This Alfa Nero saga just never ends. Can we please get some clarity already?
UPP raising valid concerns… but can we stop using big cases like Alfa Nero to score political points? Upp is attacking Browne and Browne is attacking UPP when is going to stop?
If the funds were spent properly, prove it. Where the documents you said you was going to post?
I swear, this yacht got more drama than a telenovela.
The same MP’s who argue the money should have gone to Ukraine are the same ones who also lament about A&B public debt, roads, healthcare. Divorced from their minds is the fact that abandoned properties (eg moneys in bank account) have usually gone to the state. There is no doubt that if UPP was in office, they would be arguing that A&B should get the funds. This all reminds of 1 Kings 3:16-28, where the mother of the dead child(UPP) shouts cut the baby in half. Ukraine problems it seems are bigger than A&B’s yet according to the current US president Ukraine has received some 350 Billion USD from the US alone. All those UPP MP’s need to go and run for election in Ukraine because from their uttering its clear they do not have Antigua at heart
The UPP don’t even have to say anything about this matter..Gatson Browne is already convicted in the court of public opinion and public perception.
That’s why they’re all over the place running their mouths at rallies trying to convince the general public that they are innocent.
So the UPP doesn’t have do or say anything on this matter, the Gatson Browne scourge is already at full flight sicking Antigua further and further in debt and mischief.
If Antiguan’s no what’s good for them and the island, is to ask for this PM removal from office. His Commish has already bolted on him, his AG has been missing in action since has been Knighted, they found a way to silence Asot, so the Domino’s are falling, and it will be the citizens will feel the brunt.
They are already scared about tariffs, and we all know how terrible this administration handled COVID and major crisis..so y’all better learn, because harder days are yet to come.
@ tenman, what a terrible misuse of the Holy Scriptures. Your blasphemous rhetoric sounds like the last refuse of desperation, because you well and know – as a Gastonite – that the Prime Minister has made a woeful decision about the Alpha Nero fiasco, and he’s doubling down to try and save he face.
Remember boss, blasphemy isn’t a good look.
No longer was it stolen now is mis use ok
Some of these comments though. Ya’ll are bitter. Keep going in circles contradicting ya’ll selves and trying to score brownie points. It’s really sad.
I just cannot see how I would lose the care of my sanity to vote for UPP. Get ya’ll shit together. Ya’ll stinking up the place now. No sense of direction. Just rambling rambling when it’s convenient. No substance. It’s tiresome jack.
I Totally agree Islanman26, Antiguans haven’t witnessed anything yet!
Only Gaston Browne’s resignation will save the country. He knows it; his cabinet members know it – even though their silence is very troubling -; and most importantly, the majority of the country know it.
The man has not only become a pariah at home, but on the world stage as well.
HOW EMBARRASSING …
@Brix.
Exactly! Even if you’re not from Antigua or A-political, looking from the outside, this is just all the way around a huge mess this administration has made.
The 1000 African Antigua Airways fiasco was really bad, and we knew that this one was just as terrible looking from the outside, so I don’t know how people think that this island can recover from this.
The arms of the law are a long as time, so I don’t know how these people think they can continue to ignore the laws and not be punished for it.
Even a J-walker gets punished for his crime, but here you have these people taking no accountability for their actions.
Antigua is way too small for this type of scrutiny coming from the international community, just way too small.
Small news is big big news in the islands, and this Alpha Nero thing in no small news, so what were they expecting?
It’s that lack of perspective from this PM that’s going to and hurting Antigua big time..
So yes, this man should step down for his hand in all of this foolishness thats hurting the twin Island Nation.
And don’t forget, the other day he was vehemently standing with a dictator government in Venezuela..so go figure.
This man is running Antiguan like it’s his personal business. No feelings for other people at all. He has to go!
When we start feeling the pinch and bet your bottom dollar we will I wonder which political party will get the blame, the lickspittlers like Faithful National #1 or is it Unfaithful National #1 and idiotic Sharon Lycorish will try to blame the Opposition but remember they were not in office
UPP you all seems desperate, it seems to me you all trying to find something to talk about. In my mind the government have been transparent where this is concerned. This come like desperation to me, you all hoping that something stick. I think you all playing a dirty game that can only caused a negative, reaction for the country. Because of the tactics you all using that is so damaging to the country reparation out there, if i was the priminister i would call a snapped election. Let me see how you all handle that.
@ Independent Thinker, I hope the Prime Minister does call a snap election; because his decisions in recent times have called into question his incapacity to hold high office.
BTW, have you personally ever thought how a Prime Minister run a country and hold another position in charge of Finance?
Come on now Independent Thinker, isn’t this a conflict of interest. Browne shouldn’t be doing both without Independent (😉) checks and balances – even you can see that …
WHAT THE HELL…! …FIVE FINE PARLIAMENTARIANS: …LOONIES OR MOONIES…?
Well, this is really not this commenter’s ‘…Cup of Tea,’ but the question shall be asked:
(i) ‘…ARE THESE ‘…FIVE FINE PARLIAMENTARIANS’ LOONIES OR MOONIES?’
(ii) …WERE THEY NOT PROVIDED BY THE CLERK TO PARLIAMENT, COPIES OF THE ‘…BILL TO AMEND THE PORT AUTHORITY ACT’ [Section 38: Chapter 333]:
(iii) …WERE THEY NOT GIVEN OPPORTUNITIES TO MEANINGFULLY DEBATE THE ‘BILL’ IN THE PARLIAMENT?
(iv) …WERE THEY PREVENTED BY THE SPEAKERSHIP FROM SO DOING?
(v) …COULD THEY HAVE DEBATED FORCEFULLY AND REQUEST TO HAVE ‘…SECTION 3 (3) AMENDED TO READ AFTER ‘…PAID INTO THE CONSOLIDATED FUND,’ THE REMAINDER SHALL BE SENT TO THE WAR-STRICKEN UKRAININA PEOPLE?’
***
THE MEDIA IS NOT ‘…PARLIAMENT’ AND PARLIAMENT IS CERTAINLY NOT FOR TALK SHOWS.’
***
WELL, WHOEVER WISHES TO GO TO HELL, MAY GO IN PEACE.
***
SCREW UP YOUR DARN FACES:
***
WHAT THE HELL…! ‘…SCRAM.’
NOT YET:
‘…READ THE ‘…PORT AUTHORITY (AMENDMENT) ACT:
(NO: 1 OF 2023].
***
SEE WHERE THEY MAY HAVE MADE ‘…BOONS’ OF THEMSELVES.’
JUST WHAT THE HELL ARE ‘…BOONS?’
***
WALK GOOD.
***