CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle has called for full disclosure on government spending related to the dredging of St John’s Harbour, questioning the state’s financial ties to the private company Blue Ocean.
Speaking on Observer Radio’s AM programme, the United Progressive Party (UPP) leader said the public has never been shown agreements, audited accounts or shareholder details despite the project stretching back more than a decade.
“The government bought shares in Blue Ocean, yet it continues to pay the same entity to dredge the harbour,” Mr Pringle said. “The people of Antigua and Barbuda cannot get an account of how much has been spent to date.”
He criticised the decision to purchase dredging equipment abroad without presenting feasibility studies or a long-term business plan, describing the move as “a slap in the face” to taxpayers.
The opposition leader also suggested the UPP could seek legal remedies, including an injunction, to halt further spending until Parliament and the public are presented with full financial information.
Mr Pringle also raised concerns over a $100m loan reportedly secured from ACB Caribbean for road works.
He said the borrowing had not been brought before Parliament, leaving unanswered questions about interest rates, collateral and project details.
“Every week there are repairs on newly built roads,” he said. “How can taxpayers be sure they are getting value for money without the information before them?”
Turning to healthcare, Mr Pringle condemned what he described as years of neglect at the Clear View Psychiatric Hospital, citing a 2017 ombudsman’s report that highlighted poor security, staffing shortages and unsafe conditions.
He said it was only after a recent incident involving a foreign student that the Ministry of Health launched an investigation.
“If they were serious about mental health, something would have been done long ago,” Mr Pringle said.
Addressing internal party matters, Mr Pringle responded to recent remarks by UPP Senator Jonathan Joseph, who appeared to back the government’s plan to use Social Security funds in the Jolly Beach resort project.
Mr Pringle acknowledged the comments had unsettled supporters but said the senator had since admitted error and reaffirmed his loyalty to the party.
“We are satisfied he supports the party’s position,” the opposition leader said, adding that the UPP would “weather the storm together.”
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
now that is LEADERSHIP! The ONE AND ONLY DULY ELECTED LEADER OF HS MAJESTY’S LOYAL OPPOSITION IS THE HON. LARS JAMALE PRINGLE.
My dear people, I am made to believe that sitting on the opposition bench are a bunch of highly Righteous Saints that if given the chance to govern this country once again, will for the first time in the political arena of any country, get rid of all under the table deals, remain clean and transparent as your government and totally eradicate corruption in politics all together.
We as the opposition if given that chance will always put you the people first by puttinga stop to crime, better Healthcare, a stop to all power and water issues and a immaculate running Clare View institution.
The salary might not be as rewarding, but as your governing political party we promise to stay humble and honest, while we await our pensions, cause corruption have no place in politics especially here in Wadadli.
“Ashe asked for US$300,000, stating that “these funds were intended as a show of good faith” to allow him “to start the conversation” with his interlocutors in Antigua. The FBI agent revealed in his deposition that “approximately US$100,000 was sent to the then Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer in Antigua shortly after Ashe received the requested US$300,000.”
I just cannot understand why our current Finance Minister – as well as Prime minister – Gaston Browne isn’t being upfront and transparent in regards to the $100 million loan and dredging deal.
I’m sure I heard in recent times that our Finance/Prime Minister was going to turn over a new leaf in regards to being more TRANSPARENT in future dealings, after not being so in the past especially in regards to ongoing concerns with transparency over NAMCO, CIP, YIDA and the Hurricane Irma donation. Mercy!!!
Oh and let us not forget the Honourable Richard Lewis’ Freedom of Information Request in regards to “alleged” family links in governmental property that he is still wanting answers to on the behalf of the country.
The Honourable Jamal Pringle is correct in pursuing the “two jobs” ABLP Minister for the transparency that Gaston he himself promised the country.
Hopefully Antigua’s “two jobs” Minister will respond to the Honourable Jamal Pringle’s concerns or once again many will think that Gaston Browne is a DRAGOMAN that interprets serious matters his way, and his way only …
DAMN, I’M GOOD … 😉
“Ashe stated that “you may recall the Minister of Finance is a high school classmate of mine” and therefore would facilitate establishment of offshore banks. The minister of finance in the then UPP administration was Harold Lovell, who is now political leader of the UPP.
Immediately after, Ashe went to Antigua for 48 hours and reported to the “Advisers” that he “had the initial resources in hand which have now been fully utilised”. He continued, “certainly served the intended purpose of focusing minds… I have been given the green light to fully engage”.
Everyday it’s something new with these people and our money. They are creating idiotic ways even, to start constructing things that they thought of overnight. Check the Construction on the neverending ‘Factory Road ‘ and you will recognize that there is always an afterthought to siphon money. There’s a quarry that operates almost 24/7, from which they mine material to sell to us to makeover these roads. Somebody needs to take a keen look into how much is being spent on limestone and other materials from this quarry and note who is/are the principals of this enterprise. It’s all about CONSTRUCTION; so said the Leader.
“According to the testimony of the FBI agent, “during the same period”, Ashe sent the then Prime Minister (Spencer) approximately US$170,000.”
You know the honorable Mr. Pringle should first come to the public and explain to us what figure he was trying to read in parliament that to up this date no one can figure it out. I mean it is now a permanent record in Hansard. Shame on our elected officials that are embarrassing us so bad and they do not care about the stain it leaves on their record for years to come. Year ago we had our Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer with the same problem of reading large figures. What kind on illiterate persons do we chose to represent us. Shame on us the voters. And these are not slip of the tong. They just cannot read. And that wants to be a future prime minister. When that happens I’ll change my citizenship. Because I do not want to be embarrassed by the things they will do in the countries name. We need to set higher standards for our elected leaders. if you want to hold elective public office you should have a University Degree as a minimum requirement.
I agree. Blue Ocean is majority owned by an entity based in the BVI which is owned by a Jamaican national. This makes no sense. Government not only does not own Blue Ocean but also is not the majority shareholder. So somebody, anybody, make this make sense. Let’s have some transparency, please.
Brixtonian September 8, 2025 At 11:05 am
This scripture was given to me this week in church and I though to share it with you. I will not be arguing with you from now on. But I’ll have you in prayer. Perhaps all is not lost with you.
2 Timothy 2: 23
23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
@ Facts!, you are either a paid up member of the ABLP or an operative that enjoys dwelling in the PAST of the UPP, yet you PURPOSELY ignore the last two terms of inaction and broken manifesto promises by the current incumbent.
Come on @Facts! Fess-up and cleanse your soul
@ Less We Forget, I’ve lost count now of the many times you’ve mentioned that you won’t be responding to my comments anymore; but yet here you are again doing so – are you alright in the head?
And hiding behind popular Holy Scriptures doesn’t make you any more religious in the slightest, because I’ve come across many like you that do the same thing.
It means nothing if meaningful actions do not follow.
Having spent over 15 years as a ardent church goer, and read the Bible twice over in the privacy of my home, and especially scrutinising the warnings about false teachers that are NEVER mentioned in weekly sermons.
Like you, I could quote Scriptures all day long.
But as you well an’ know many religious ZEALOTS like yourself will use it to weaponise to validate their offbeat point of views.
I still recall the time you mentioned that Gaston Browne’s garbage collection stunt was just like Jesus’s washing of feet???
MOVE YOURSELF YOU BLASPHEMOUS NUTCRACKER …