分类： politics

Prime Minister Gaston Browne has assured the public that the Freedom of Information (FOI) Secretariat will be operational within 60 days, addressing concerns raised in Parliament about the lack of a physical office for the Information Commissioner. During a recent parliamentary session, Browne revealed that the Attorney General has informed him that the physical premises for the Secretariat are still under preparation but are expected to be ready soon. Despite the absence of a dedicated office, Browne emphasized that the FOI system remains functional, with the Information Commissioner actively handling public requests. ‘You and others have written to the Information Commissioner and would have gotten information,’ Browne stated, underscoring that the Secretariat’s operations have not been halted by the ongoing repairs. The Prime Minister’s announcement follows criticism from an opposition MP, who highlighted that the government had previously promised the office would open within a month in May, a deadline that has now been extended. Browne defended the delay, stating that he was merely relaying the Attorney General’s timeline and is not directly involved in the construction process. The discussion also touched on the Integrity in Public Life Act and the Prevention of Corruption Act, with Browne asserting that all three laws are in force and being implemented. He noted that a secretary has been appointed to the Integrity Commission to ensure public officials comply with declaration requirements, dismissing claims of any deliberate policy to hinder the functioning of these governance laws. ‘The laws are functional—it’s just that they have not been utilized,’ Browne concluded.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne has revealed that the government of Antigua and Barbuda is still in the process of identifying a suitable candidate for the crucial role of Ombudsman, a position that has remained vacant for an extended period. Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, Browne responded to inquiries from St. Mary’s South MP Kelvin Simon, who raised concerns about the prolonged vacancy and questioned the government’s timeline for filling the post. Browne emphasized that the administration has been diligently reviewing potential candidates but has yet to find an individual with the requisite qualifications, experience, and impartiality to effectively fulfill the role. ‘We have been looking for someone suitable for the role,’ Browne stated. ‘It’s a sensitive position that demands legal and administrative expertise, as well as a high degree of independence.’ The Prime Minister also disclosed that the government is now considering publicly advertising the position to attract a wider pool of qualified applicants. ‘We may have to go that route to ensure we find the right person,’ he added, reaffirming the government’s commitment to filling the post. The Office of the Ombudsman, established under the Constitution of Antigua and Barbuda, plays a pivotal role in investigating public complaints regarding maladministration or unfair treatment by government entities. Its prolonged vacancy has sparked concerns about the lack of an independent mechanism for addressing citizens’ grievances. MP Simon underscored the importance of restoring the office to full functionality, highlighting its role in holding public agencies accountable. Browne acknowledged the significance of the Ombudsman in promoting good governance and public trust but stressed the need for a careful and non-partisan appointment process. ‘It’s not a position we can fill hastily,’ he remarked. ‘We want to ensure the appointee possesses the competence and integrity to command public confidence.’

Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda has categorically dismissed rumors suggesting that the United States sought to establish a military base or deploy military assets in the Caribbean nation. Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, Browne emphasized that no such request had been made by Washington and reiterated his government’s unwavering commitment to peace and neutrality. ‘There has been no request from the United States to establish a military base in Antigua and Barbuda,’ Browne stated firmly. ‘And even if such a request were made, our answer would be no.’ The Prime Minister underscored Antigua and Barbuda’s dedication to maintaining regional stability and independence in its foreign policy, rejecting any alignment with global military powers. ‘We have absolutely no interest in hosting any form of military assets in our country,’ he declared. ‘We are happy to remain a peaceful nation without military bases.’ Browne’s remarks come amid heightened regional discussions about defense cooperation with the United States, particularly following reports that Grenada is reviewing a U.S. proposal to install a radar system at the Maurice Bishop International Airport. The recent visit of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) commander Admiral Alvin Holsey to the Eastern Caribbean has further fueled speculation about American security initiatives in the region. Admiral Holsey met with Prime Ministers Browne and Dickon Mitchell of Grenada to discuss disaster preparedness, regional security partnerships, and maritime domain awareness. While Browne welcomed civil and humanitarian cooperation with the United States—especially in areas like disaster relief, maritime safety, and law enforcement—he made it clear that Antigua and Barbuda would not entertain military basing or armament agreements. ‘Our engagement must always be about peace, development, and the safety of our people,’ Browne affirmed. ‘We are not in the business of hosting military operations for any country.’

Prime Minister Gaston Browne has robustly defended the Peace Beach development at Barnacle Point, asserting that the reclaimed land is unequivocally public property. During a parliamentary session on Thursday, Browne addressed concerns raised by the Opposition, emphasizing that while the foreshore in front of the reclaimed area is privately owned, the newly created land belongs to the state. ‘All reclaimed land is public land,’ Browne stated. ‘The threshold in front of that beach is owned privately.’ The Prime Minister also dismissed allegations that the project infringes on marine rights previously granted to the Yida Group, labeling such claims as ‘mischievous’ and clarifying that Yida holds no such rights. Browne highlighted that the coastline already includes several reclaimed properties, such as a six-acre parcel owned by the Hadeed family and an adjacent marina, both created through dredging. ‘Practically all of the land on that coast was dredged,’ he noted. ‘It’s not a pristine area as suggested by some.’ The Prime Minister further assured that all necessary environmental and statutory approvals were secured before the project commenced, underscoring the government’s commitment to regulatory compliance. The development, named Peace Beach, was inspired by Browne’s daughter and symbolizes the island’s aspiration for unity and harmony. ‘Peace Beach is about promoting peace,’ Browne said. ‘I happen to have a daughter whose name is Peace, and as you know, I’m a peace practitioner.’

Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda has firmly refuted claims that the government ever held full ownership of Blue Ocean Marine Limited. Addressing Parliament, Browne emphasized that the company has always operated as a public-private partnership, contrary to assertions made by Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle during a recent House of Representatives session. Pringle had questioned why the government’s shareholding appeared to drop from 100 percent to 75 percent within weeks. Browne clarified that the government initially held only 40 percent of the shares, with 51 percent owned by Meridian and 9 percent by Antiguan businessman Connolly Brown, who is unrelated to the Prime Minister. Browne also announced a US$2.5 million investment to increase the government’s stake to approximately 75 percent. This funding will be used to purchase specialized marine equipment, including a dredging barge and support vessel, enhancing the nation’s capacity for coastal and marine development. The Prime Minister further dismissed concerns about potential conflicts with marine rights at Barnacle Point, stating that all necessary environmental and statutory approvals were secured. He highlighted the government’s commitment to expanding the blue economy and ensuring local ownership of critical infrastructure assets, emphasizing the importance of self-sufficiency and economic empowerment.