UPP Op-Ed: One Nation…Unity…But Twisted Priorities!!!

11
Happy cheering crowd with hands in air at music festival

One Nation…Unity…But Twisted Priorities!!!

(January 6th, 2023) Antigua and Barbuda prides itself as being a multi-cultural melting pot with representation in significant numbers of nationals born and breed or migrated from within the realm of CARICOM, the OECS or even further afield. It is customary for the current administration to stage what has been dubbed as a ONE NATION unification Concert featuring popular entertainment acts locally and regionally to “bring the nation together going forward into a new year, new season… or just to promote peace and happiness (something euphoric to instigate positivity and hope)”.

 

All situations on the global front considered, this usually may be welcomed but with all situations on the global front and LOCALLY considered …this time around … IS IT A NECESSITY?!

 

The nation is on the cusp of a very pivotal electoral process set for January 18th and a myriad of issues come to the fore. Internationally, oil prices continue to fluctuate amid production and supply issues due to the war in the Ukraine are ever present. Recently, it was reported that weather issues resulted in the shortage or low supply of fuel which in turn catapulted the closure of restaurants and other businesses in Antigua and Barbuda. There was also a run on service stations by persons who feared the worse over the busy yuletide season (lost business revenue etc),  and it is said that this situation may be on the brink of recurring in the very near future.

 

Contracted workers at the National  Solid Waste Management Authority are completely fed up with an inconsistent to non-existent system of payments for months on end, with these sub-contractors having to still attend to the general maintenance of their vehicles and equipment out of their pockets for which they are not being reimbursed.

 

The Health system is in shambles as basic medical supplies at the Sir Lester Bird Mount St. John’s Medical Center are in short supply or not available at all. Infrastructure at the secondary community facilities are in constant need of repair posing significant health risks to the very same workers who lay down their lives daily for the betterment of their profession.

 

Public sector workers have been slighted and given a mere percentage of the increases and back pay owed to them. Based on the bloated public service and the menial wages and salaries that many receive…the December 30th payment of one month’s salary certainly must be diminished by now considering the weekend New Year festivities…(the government has obviously gotten back their back pay that was deliberately issued during the festive season). Is this enough to secure your vote for a government who will go back to ignoring the plight of workers as well as their main responsibilities if they are re-elected on January 18th?!

 

But back to the topic of One Nation. What is the cost of this UNITY that may eventually cause DIS-UNITY if we forget the real issues at hand in this nation of Antigua and Barbuda? Approximately 2 MILLION DOLLARS!!!! What issue can a caring administration not begin to tackle with these funds that will ensure a secure start to 2023 for the entire populace? WATER, FOOD SECURITY, STIMULUS TO EASE THE SQUEEZE ON THE COST OF LIVING OR EVEN JUST TO TAKE CARE OF DISGRUNTLED FORMER LIAT WORKERS WHO UP TO THIS DAY CANNOT SECURE A SETTLEMENT IN THAT DIRE SITUATION?

 

After the sweet croons of BERES, TIAN, and WYCLEF or the hype of VALIANT, MACHEL MONTANO AND THE ORIGINAL BURNING FLAMES would have subsided and the majority of these funds would have left our shores… the NEXT LEVEL OF POVERTY, DISAPPOINTMENT, REGRET and DIS-UNITY will certainly settle in OUR NATION. BE WISE PEOPLE …

Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]

11 COMMENTS

  1. The members of the ABLP wanted to know where the money was going to come from to fund the MAINTENANCE OF MINORS (MOM) programme. A UPP initiative to help single mothers. The cost is 1 million dollars.

    I do not hear the same ABLP members asking where the money to fund the UNITY concert is coming from. The concert will cost 2 million.

    So for the ABLP, a concert that will last one night is more important than the welfare of the treasure of the nation, our children,

    ABLP= CONCERT is MORE IMPORTANT THAN CHILDREN

    • Very twisted priorities indeed. The media should find out from Gaston whether Wyclef Jean and Machel Montano are paid for their appearance since he said on Pointe FM yesterday that because of his friendship with them they appeared free of cost.

  2. Another blazing example of how DEEPLY the present administration cares about us! Even children know that you have to put off fun and fete for more important matters. ABLP still thinks people live for fun, fete, rum and a belly full. They have not realized that times have changed. J-Truth and the Youth coupled with technology and exposure to other nations should let them know! How sad!! Vote them out! Dem too wicked!! Give UPP 3 terms in office and we will all see what true governance does! We will see the potential and Antigua and Barbuda has! Lift up your hand and vote out Gaston! Take you friend and family and vote out ABLP! Wicked set arh people!

  3. Anything to stay in power that, s what we will do says Ablp.You can all die all ministers done set up them self the goones under the ministers done set giving moneys left and right nothing for the local people we don’t need hand out just same the country.The ablp just grabbing alll they can get money, land, young men an women begging while our country been sold to satan an the demons Gaston during covid dis rispected all the pastors in antigua saying only one true man of God is in antigua an they allll went silent shame shame shame

  4. Results of 2023 ELECTION.

    ABLP. WIN. 17 SEATS

    UPP. 00 SEAT ( 12 CANDIDATES LOSE DEPOSITS)

    DNA. 00 SEAT ( ALL CANDIDATES LOSE DEPODITS )

    BPM. 00 SEAT

    ASOT MICHAEL. 00 SEAT

    MASSIVE / LANDSLIDE VICTORY FOR ABLP.

    This is the end of UPP. UPP CANDIDATES are LLC.

  6. TIME FOR A CHANGE INDEED!!
    WHY A ONE NATION CONCERT NOW??
    SEND WATER TRUCKS IN THE CONSTITUENCY & PRISONS SO THAT GRANNY AND PAPPY CAN
    BATHE!!
    I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE GOING TO THE CONCERT CAN TAKE A BATH!!
    AND WHILE YOU AT IT, GIVE THE
    HUMANS IN THE PRISON SOME FOOD!!
    ANTIGUA NOT A REAL PLACE!!
    CHANGE IS NEEDED INDEED!!

  7. This is so stupid of the ruling administration. You owe our contractors so much. Yet you spend our tax dollars on rum and partying.
    Following up closely the minister of happiness Michael Brown having another fete this week. I have been told that he is loosing in All Saints. That he has not paid any attention to his constituency. He is a selfish, self centered individual. This is one of the seats that the UPP can pick up during January 18th election. Y the way Gaston don’t like him at tall. All Saints west people going to vote him out .

Comments are closed.