Raft of concessions to prime minister’s close associate prompts the question: ‘Who was empowered?’

Disbelieving residents are shaking their heads over the disclosure of
a raft of concessions granted to a “close associate” of Prime Minister
Gaston Browne.

On September 30, 2014, National Empowerment Company Ltd., the
director of which is one Hyacinth Harris, was advised of these
concessions, granted by the Cabinet, in an October 1, 2014, letter
signed by Shenella Govia, the executive assistant to the prime
minister.

Among the tax breaks Harris’ company received are waivers on
Import Duty, Antigua and Barbuda Sales Tax (ABST), and the

Revenue Recovery Charge (RRC) on capital items, including building
materials.

No time limit was indicated.

However, Harris’ business also received a five-year exemption on
Loss Carried Forward; a 15-year exemption on Income Tax; and 15
years’ exemption or reduction on Withholding Tax.
Accordingly, these latter privileges will be in effect until the year
2029.

Sweetening Harris’ deal was a 50 percent reduction on Property Tax
and on Stamp Duty on land transfers and non-citizens’ licenses.
There is no time limit on these concessions, either.

It is believed – though not confirmed – that this purported Cabinet
decision relates to a residential and commercial complex in
Ebenezer, as well as to lands in the Friars Hill area that were
acquired by the Browne Administration from the West Indies Oil
Company (WIOC).

Some of that acreage was known to be subsequently “traded” for
land at Dredge Bay that allegedly had been owned by another
company of which Harris was the director.

The Dredge Bay land, reportedly valued at a little more than
$70,000, was utilized by the National Housing and Urban
Development Company, a government-owned agency now under the
ambit of Minister Maria Browne.

While 19 plots covering more than 12 acres at Friars Hill reportedly
were acquired, it was never made clear how much land was actually
in the “swap” and how much was purchased by the director.
In the meantime, residents and persons in political circles are asking
“who, exactly, has been ‘empowered’ by National Empowerment
Company Ltd.”

A taxation professional tells REAL News it is deals like these that
have contributed to the “literally poor state of the Government’s
finances. “

And he doubts that this is “a one-off deal.” Rather, he suspects that
most – if not all – of the Cabinet members have carved out similar
deals for relatives or associates who might be “fronting for them in
business.”