PM Warns Public Servant Over Shipment Obstruction: “Next Time, You’re Gone”
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has issued a stern warning to a public servant accused of obstructing the clearance of a longstanding shipment of sand and stone from Montserrat, describing the individual’s behaviour as an act of internal sabotage against national development.
Referencing a recent Cabinet briefing, Browne recounted how a routine delivery of aggregates destined for Public Works was delayed unnecessarily on Wednesday, allegedly due to the official’s refusal to process the necessary documentation.
“For some reason, a particular public servant decided Wednesday morning they’re not allowing a shipment to be landed,” Browne said. “The boat came, and the public servant said they’re not signing off on the documents.”
According to the Prime Minister, the public servant initially claimed that a document was missing, only for it to be revealed later that all the paperwork had been in their possession the entire time.
“The Parliamentary Secretary, the Honourable Clement Antonio, got on to Minister Smith and asked him to call the official to please sign the document—even if something was missing—just for expediency. There was no risk involved. This is a quarry we’ve been importing from for years.”
Despite repeated calls from Cabinet members, the official allegedly failed to respond to phone calls or messages. Browne said the matter escalated to the point where the Cabinet authorised the Minister to sign the documents directly, but the official reportedly refused to release them.
“We suspended the Cabinet. I called—no answer. The Minister called—no answer. Others intervened within the ministry. No response. Eventually, at 4:30 p.m., the documents—same ones they refused to sign—were finally processed,” he said.
The Prime Minister claimed this was not an isolated incident, accusing the same official of “consistently frustrating the process, not just for government, but for private individuals.”
Browne acknowledged concerns that disciplinary action could be perceived as political victimisation, which is why the Cabinet has previously shown restraint. However, he indicated the government’s patience has run out.
“We’ve contemplated several times moving that person but always gave the benefit of the doubt. We’re at the stage now that if that person—who I know is listening—slips up again, there’ll be no conversation. That person will be moved,” Browne declared.
The individual later claimed they had missed all communication due to being on a Zoom call all day and having their phone on silent.
Browne dismissed the excuse outright: “It was stupid, you know. Enough is enough.”
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Too many chances given is the problem here. Some people think it’s fun to take advantage of kindness until you lower the boom. Then all of a sudden they’re victims.
Dat sound more like threat than leadership. Wah really gwan dey so?
When someone protest so much there is more to it, I never forget in the 90’s when marshall, Lester and robin shipped sand from Barbuda under a shell company, when the the biggest cocaine bust took place in the virgin islands buried in sand on the barge from Barbuda.
But still then, the PM may just be thinking upright, but expediting business should be the same for all government entities.
I don’t think national public radio is the place for this. Such threat is a serious violation of the workers right and an affront to proper industrial relationship. Whatever the issues, these ought to be handled internally and need not spill over in the public domain in such callous manner. When a Prime Minister threatens to fire you on national radio, that is a serious violation and peril. What about due process?
Mi na like how he talk to de worker. Dem ah public servant, not slave.
Why is this guy always so confrontational? He offers everything to the public except his underworld dealings. They were actually forcing the unnamed employee to sign the release even though there was a missing document. This surely seems like a practice. Hope subordinates remember the Medical Benefits Inquiry.
Mi understand frustration, but mi na agree wid de delivery.
That tone was unnecessary. There’s a way to discipline without sounding dictatorial.
He could’ve made the same point in private. Public shaming ain’t the way.
Was the obstruction deliberate? We need more facts before judging.
Mi feel like he trying show muscle instead of solving the real problem.
Even if dem mess up, yuh can’t just bawl ‘next time yuh gone’ like is joke work.
So you telling me one public servant could hold up progress like that and still have a job? Bout time somebody stand up and deal with the nonsense. Too much slackness in the system.
Da man too aggressive. Leadership nah mean yuh haffi bully people.
PM need fi check heself. Talk like dat mek people shut down, not step up.
Did the public servant even get a chance to explain their side?
Wha really happen with de shipment? That part get skip over quick.
He could’ve used this as a teachable moment, but instead it came off harsh.
I working in government long enough to know the type. Some ah dem just spiteful and feel they bigger than the country. This nah about politics, this about doing the damn job.
And this man call himself a leader..
I am really asking this question, no joke.
Leading who, and where?
I have been in very senior positions in my career over the years, and this is not how you do it, nope.
Please do, because a lot them get government jobs that pays them well,and still playing playing politics….
Or maybe Gatson Browne thinks this is what transparency means when he promised that his government will be more transparent going forward, to chat everyone business out in the streets like a drunk sailor.. 😂 😆.
Folks, this man has run his course, trust me. 😂
Bartender…one Guinness please…. watching King Kong vs Godzilla
Master degree been offered at UWIFIC… discipline Yes-men and yes-women
I know who he is referring to & this isn’t the first time the person say they not signing off & backing up shipment, they act like they own the place ……its entitlement for me . Sometimes you have to move them and put them at the bottom of the barrel ….tooo many times Government workers don’t work well and have horrible customer service
You will hear it’s someone from the opposition sabotaging. Where is Faithful National #1 so long thought I would have heard from that idiot already
When I became a public servant in the government of Antigua, my first responsibility was to educate myself on the laws and policies governing my position. It was made clear to me that I worked for the people of Antigua and Barbuda and that my responsibility was to conduct my duties in their best interest. Many times politicians feel empowered to use their positions to bully/coerce public servants to do their bidding to “expedite” situations. This means cutting corners, taking shortcuts and breaking the law. I realized that the best approach when being pressured to do something without the proper checks and balances was to request in writing instructions from the said politician was directing me to take such action. They never did, because ultimately they will not take the fall if things go awry. Public servants do not work for the ministers, they work for the people. The prime minister can’t to my knowledge legally fire someone for doing their job or he can be held liable. Obviously I’m not familiar with the specifics of this case but in my experience it’s very common for politicians to overstep. Our leaders need to lead by example! Doing the right thing as a principle and practice can help to move us in the direction where corruption is no longer accepted and expected. Gaston, this behavior is not a flex but an indication of poor leadership. Do better