REAL NEWS: Leader of the Opposition Jamale Pringle will head a delegation from the United Progressive Party (UPP) at a meeting with Governor-General Sir Rodney Williams on Wednesday morning, May 17, and present petition sheets bearing the signatures of thousands of concerned citizens.
Of concern to these citizens and the UPP is the fact that Sir Rodney declined an earlier request for a Commission of Inquiry into the genesis of the failed Antigua Airways and the flights from Lagos, Nigeria, that stranded hundreds of West Africans here.
Since Sir Rodney’s rejection over two months ago, the airline has been described by its champion, Prime Minister Gaston Browne, as “virtually defunct,” even as a lawsuit filed in Nigeria by two alleged principals is to be heard.
More serious than that, however, is the drowning deaths of three Cameroonians – and the disappearance of more than a dozen – during an ill-fated attempt to smuggle 30 of them into the U.S. Virgin Islands on March 28.
The UPP believes that these incidents, as well as several other reports of migrant smuggling into neighbouring islands – and the damage to Antigua and Barbuda’s reputation – are serious enough to warrant Sir Rodney’s reconsideration.
To bolster the second request that Pringle and his colleagues intend to make, they will deliver to the Governor-General the petition sheets that have been widely distributed since March, online and in hard copy.
A formal letter requesting an Inquiry, with rationale, will also be submitted. A request from several clergy is expected to be presented, as well, and additional requests from other concerned parties are welcome, Pringle says.
UPP Caretaker Pearl Quinn-Williams notes that a significant number of residents have said they share the concerns voiced; however, either out of loyalty to the Browne Administration or fear of victimization, they have not signed the petition.
“While the UPP is spearheading this initiative, this is not a politically partisan issue,” Pringle explains to REAL News. “The citizens and residents have questions and they’re entitled to answers.
“This so-called airline carried our country’s name and flew our flag. The dead Cameroonians came from here, Antigua. The living ones were expected to be returned here. We are involved any way you look at it, and we need to know why and we need to know how,” Pringle says.
“This one is too big to be swept under the carpet.”
Meanwhile, the Party says it intends to continue the petition drive past Wednesday. In the event that Sir Rodney again refuses to use his constitutional authority to convene the Inquiry, the petition will form part of the Concerned Citizens’ appeal to the relevant international agencies, Pringle says.
Most have been alerted already to the March 28 tragedy at sea; dead bodies recently floating up on shores; and the illegal entry of West Africans into at least three territories, as the unlawful migration from Antigua continues .
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Best of luck dealing with this GG, who is more of a laborite than an Antiguan.
I would not hold a breath. The GG is spineless, he is Gaston’s puppet. Therefore he is incapable of making decisions for the good of Antigua.
It might be appropriate for UPP to seek external agencies involvement to conduct investigations and to bring the rouges before a court.
Olabanjo and Gaston has a lot to answer. It is important to keep in mind Olabanjo stated that he and Brown are “tight” he further had the cheek to state on Observer Radio that the West Africans were brought to Antigua because we are under populated and they are here to improve our population.
Olabanjo used government’s vehicle to taxi some of Gaston’s migrants who arrived outside normal functioning of the airport.
Antiguans need to unite and demand answers and don’t allow those corrupt individuals continue to shame us.
Pringle???? He soon gone. Richard Lewis BOYCOTT PRINGLE SWEARING IN CEREMONY at Government House for a reason!!
You would’ve sounded better if you had said nothing. People like you are responsible for our dilemma because you still don’t understand your reason for voting.
Wrong tactic UPP, as long as you are the main opposition party, the ABLP will not entertain you.
You’d be better off attracting some sort of independent authority that will circumvent the ABLP over reliance on a Governor General that will never go against Gaston Browne.
And apart from fawning over the Prime Minister, GG alsi love dressing up in fancy clothes – that all he good for!
Soon after it became apparent that these were migrants rather than wealthy investors as the UPP called for an investigation ABLP said wait a minute there is a Un group who is are here to investigate.
The UPP keeps barking up the wrong trees and allow Gaston to slide on to new scams. We know that UN groups’ concern was refugee welfare and not human trafficking. Not only did UPP allow Gaston and Max lies to fly when they should be saying not too fast. In spite of the fact the UN was in Antigua with regards to migrant welfare. What happened? Did they return to study the issue?
Rather than pressing the point; of all the lies and obfuscation with no answers; UPP keep pressing for an investigation it will never get. Should there be an investigation; the deck will be stacked and Gaston will come out smelling like roses
@ Brixtonian … I answered your question. My answer did not pass muster with the moderators. So it was never posted. Basically, no discussion about the ownership is allowed.
I hear you Vernon …
This GG is probably going down as the worst ever. Don’t forget he ran on an ALP ticket. Let UPP follow the channels the laws allow. Then we will have on record that Rodney Williams is a spineless, Labourite posing as GG.
In the meanwhile, we look for outside human rights bodies to attack this error from a different angle. Notice, Banjo has gone into hiding.
In a democracy the Majority rules. But these minority UPP people think they run things. Sorry guys. Elections are over, you LOST. Now it is time to run the country for the next five years. Next time better luck.
The GG knows the rules of democracy. He understands that there are sore losers who think they can climb on the back of the GG to get what they want. You guys are looking for scandals under every stone. But sorry, no scandal here. Simple someone profiting from the Air Service agreement that was signed between Antigua and Barbuda and Nigeria. Luckily enough the government closed the loophole fast. But there was nothing illegal done. People got stranded yes, but that happens all the time. It’s for them to get a flight out if they want to. But we have offered them a new home here if they want to stay. Anyone of them that wants to book a flight out to another country for which they have a visa can leave anytime. No one is holding them in detention. So, what do you want to investigate with taxpayers’ money. Cause those investigations are not cheap. The entire story is known.
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