分类： politics

The Social Security Director of Antigua and Barbuda has revealed that the United Progressive Party (UPP) government significantly increased the arrears owed to the Social Security scheme during its first term in office. According to David Mathias, who appeared on the Browne and Browne Show, the arrears grew by $127 million between 2003 and 2009. By October 2003, just before the UPP assumed power, the outstanding amount was approximately $366 million. However, by 2009, this figure had surged to nearly $494 million. Prime Minister Gaston Browne, also present on the show, emphasized that this increase occurred within the UPP’s first five years in office. Mathias confirmed that the arrears stemmed from unpaid premiums, including employee deductions that were not remitted to the scheme. By 2010, the UPP government consolidated the debt into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Social Security Board, resulting in a total liability of $550 million, which included unpaid contributions, loans, and penalties. This revelation highlights the substantial financial burden added during the UPP’s tenure and underscores the long-standing issue of arrears accumulation across successive administrations.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to clearing outstanding Social Security arrears, emphasizing that the fund remains robust with substantial cash reserves. Speaking on the Browne and Browne Show, Browne highlighted his administration’s efforts to reduce inherited liabilities, including paying down a $330 million bond to approximately $218 million. He announced a new bond deal aimed at settling the remaining $100 million owed to the Social Security Scheme. Browne stressed that his government has consistently paid full premiums since 2014, unlike previous administrations that made partial payments based on estimates. However, he acknowledged that monthly contributions became inconsistent following the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these challenges, Browne dismissed concerns about the sustainability of pensions or benefits, noting that the scheme maintains liquidity of $35 to $40 million. His remarks come amid opposition accusations of financial mismanagement, which Browne countered by asserting that his administration is the first to address decades of accumulated arrears effectively.

At the 86th Annual Delegates’ Conference of the Antigua and Barbuda Trades and Labour Union (AT&LU), featured speaker Carl Christopher lauded Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s administration for its transformative housing and infrastructure initiatives. Christopher described these efforts as a “housing revolution for the workers” and an “infrastructural revolution,” emphasizing their role in elevating living standards across the nation. He highlighted the broader societal benefits, including expanded access to education, ownership opportunities, and investment avenues for the youth. Christopher urged delegates to remain vigilant against detractors, warning against allowing “liars, laggards, and charlatans” to derail the progress achieved. He invoked the legacy of past labour leaders, such as Sylvia Cornwall Byrd, Ivan Peters, and Rufus Lewis, to underscore the importance of unity in addressing global challenges like inflation, climate change, and conflicts. Christopher stressed that these issues are not abstract but directly impact workers, making solidarity essential. He called for continued discipline and productivity, urging the younger generation to view education as a tool for empowerment and job creation. In his closing remarks, Christopher emphasized the critical role of unity, declaring that “the unity of labour is the salvation of our nation.” He rallied support for Prime Minister Browne and AT&LU President Bernard de Nully, asserting that the movement’s future hinges on collective strength.

Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle has come under intense scrutiny following his recent handling of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) session. During a heated discussion on the Browne and Browne Show, panelists lambasted Pringle for what they described as a superficial and ineffective approach to overseeing state finances. Critics accused him of prioritizing theatrics over substantive accountability, with one panelist characterizing the meeting as a ‘pageant and a presentation’ rather than a rigorous examination of public accounts. Pringle’s inability to grasp the complexities of the issues at hand was a recurring theme in the critique. Panelists noted that he appeared to read pre-prepared questions without fully understanding the responses, and failed to ask follow-up questions that would have demonstrated deeper engagement. One commentator likened his performance to ‘someone still trying to grapple with the alphabet,’ highlighting his apparent struggles with comprehension. The criticism extended beyond the panelists, with callers to the program joining the chorus of disapproval. One particularly scathing caller described Pringle as having ‘a coconut head with cement in it,’ questioning how someone with business experience could fail to grasp basic accounting and auditing principles. The backlash underscores growing concerns about Pringle’s leadership capabilities and his effectiveness in holding the government accountable. As the debate continues, the incident raises broader questions about the role and expectations of opposition leaders in ensuring transparency and fiscal responsibility.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne has launched a scathing critique against the opposition United Progressive Party (UPP), accusing them of failing to address the critical issue of climate change. Speaking on Pointe FM’s *Browne and Browne Show*, Browne highlighted the absence of substantive statements from UPP leader Harold Lovell on the matter, despite his decades-long political career. Browne emphasized that climate change is the most pressing challenge for small island states like Antigua and Barbuda, yet the UPP’s political discourse has been dominated by personal attacks rather than policy discussions. Browne contrasted this with his own Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP), which has prioritized climate action since 2014, including energy transition and reducing the nation’s carbon footprint. He cited research showing Lovell’s lack of documented policy statements on climate change, apart from a vague reference to a “greener Barbuda” in the 2023 manifesto. Browne argued that this silence reflects the UPP’s ignorance and lack of issue-based focus. He urged citizens to recognize the multidimensional consequences of climate change, from intensified hurricanes to rising sea levels, and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to climate advocacy, including international leadership in seeking climate justice and reparations at the United Nations.

In a recent statement on the Browne and Browne Show, David Mathias, Director of the Antigua and Barbuda Social Security Board, affirmed that the current Antigua Labour Party (ALP) administration has not borrowed any funds from the Social Security Scheme. This declaration underscores the government’s dedication to maintaining the fund’s stability and integrity. Mathias emphasized that the administration has taken tangible steps to address outstanding liabilities, ensuring the scheme remains robust and functional. He highlighted that during the COVID-19 pandemic, when payments fell short, the government intervened to keep the scheme current and advance payment processing. Mathias also reassured the public that the Social Security Scheme is stable and projected to remain so well beyond 2031, the year previously identified as a potential risk point. These remarks come in response to opposition criticism regarding the scheme’s arrears and align with the government’s commitment to fully settle outstanding contributions. The director’s statements aim to bolster public confidence in the Social Security Scheme’s future and the government’s fiscal responsibility.

In a comprehensive address at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne emphasized the critical need for regional cooperation and adherence to international law in combating drug trafficking in the Caribbean. Browne highlighted the importance of legal frameworks and rules of engagement to minimize risks to life and respect sovereignty, particularly in light of recent lethal incidents off the coast of Venezuela. He expressed concern over the militarization of the region, including the deployment of a nuclear submarine by the United States, and urged that the hemisphere remain a zone of peace rather than a theater of military conflict. Browne also addressed the ongoing economic embargo against Cuba, calling for normalized relations and the removal of Cuba from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism. He stressed the need for sustained international attention and support for Haiti, advocating for a unified, Haitian-led plan to address the country’s crisis. Additionally, Browne underscored the urgent need for global action on climate change, particularly for small island states, and called for fair financing mechanisms to support adaptation and resilience efforts. He concluded by advocating for the protection of marine ecosystems and a moratorium on seabed mining until its environmental impact is fully understood.