Tabor says UPP is keeping a close eye on Government’s debts, even as the $400k purchase of palm trees shocks residents
The United Progressive Party (UPP) is closely monitoring the debts
that Antigua and Barbuda keeps accruing under the Gaston Browne
Administration via the excessive borrowings it has undertaken over
the past nine years.
While Finance Minister Gaston Browne painted a rosy picture
during the presentation of the 2024 Budget Presentation last Friday,
December 15, experts say the imbalance between revenue and
expenditure shows a different picture of the country’s economic
health.
The most recent borrowing is a US$100 million loan for airport
upgrades and other miscellaneous purposes. This has resulted in an
increase of 10 percent in the airport tax next year.
Damani Tabor, the public relations officer of the United Progressive
Party (UPP), says the Party is looking at the wanton borrowings of
the Browne Administration, its wastage, and its failure to account
for the taxpayers’ money.
Only days ago, the latest financial report from the Citizenship by
Investment Unit (CIU) showed that some $405,000 had been spent
by the Government on the purchase and importation of palm trees.
Allegedly, this was during the January to June 2023 period.
However, it was only last month, November, that these palms were
planted along the Friars Hill Road, reportedly as part of an
environment-friendly initiative.
Meanwhile, an officer from the Environment Division claims these
trees will have to be uprooted to accommodate the burial of
overhead electricity and other wires by the Antigua Public Utilities
Authority (APUA).
If the UPP were to regain office just now, Tabor says, the Browne
Administration might attempt a stunt similar to that undertaken by
the Lester Bird Administration in which files were removed from
the Prime Minister’s Office – making it difficult for the Spencer
Administration to get a true picture of the country’s debts.
Damani Tabor, public relations officer for the United Progressive
Party.
