A Three-Part Vehicle-Gate Episode of Corruption: The Fleecing of the Antigua and Barbuda Public Treasury

By Kwame Nkosi Romeo

Part 1;

The Political Marriage of Nepotism and Kleptocracy

"There must be something rotten in the very core of a social system which increases its wealth without diminishing its misery."

-Karl Marx

The political marriage of a lack of transparency and accountability is today's chaos of corruption, characterized by the absence of these criteria in the Antigua Labor Party (ALP) led by Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Gaston Browne!

As Antigua and Barbuda celebrates its 44th year of Independence, ensnared in yet another corruption scandal, dubbed "Vehicle-Gate", it comes amid growing public discontent as the economic hardship of everyday living becomes increasingly complex!

Meanwhile, the ruling hierarchy enjoys life's luxuries at the expense of taxpayers' income.

This misuse of public office for private gain was vividly exposed in the most recent ALP government vehicles procurement scandal.

The corruption involved a significant number of vehicles valued at more than $15 million, which are primarily linked to his wife, Maria Bird-Browne, Minister for Housing. Land and Urban Renewal, who is entangled in a web of corruption!

Are the iron ball chains still shackling our minds, impeding resistance and courage?

Journalist Darren Matthew-Ward (DMW) addressed the issue on the WPG10 YouTube Television Channel with host Calistra Farrier: Antigua's Multimillion Dollar Scandal. Is Gaston Browne on offense or defense?

His transparent deliberations bring to light concerns about PM Browne's knowledge of the Vehicle-Gate corruption that reeks of conflict of interest, which evolved from the host Farrier's probing question to DMW:

"What can you tell us at this time about all of this?"

DMW responded: "The scandal started with the prime minister, and it has been with the prime minister ever since.

Most of what we know is as a result of the disclosure that he has made publicly, either in Parliament in response to questions or on his weekly radio program."

DMW was fair, and his critical analysis of the issue was based on the prime minister Browne's corruption procurement, with DMW concluding:

"There were vehicles that were procured through improper channels by passing the Minister of Finance with which he is respondible, and the Minstry of Public Works is also involved..The Ministry of Public Works is responsible for all government procurement, so you should not be procuring vehicles without the approval of the Ministry of Public Works!

And, of course, the Ministry of Finance must sign off. Any vehicle over $80,000 would have to go through an additional process or procedure, and that was also not followed!

So the questions are who would have signed off, who was involved, and how it is that the Minister of Public Works and the Minister of Finance did not know?"

For that public interview and expression of truth DMW was guilty of the cardinal sin of criticising the ALP government with PM Browne once again butchering the freedom of the press and free speech, while sending an ultimatum to DMW's employer, WTP radio owner and ALP MP Paul 'Chet' Greene during a recent interview: 

"I have seen this movie before, and I know how it ends, and if you don't believe me, ask comrade Sean Bird."

The reference to Bird, owner of ZDK Liberty Radio and a former member of the United Progressive Party (UPP), in the statements made reveals a sinister plot to destroy WTP, just as ZDK was on the brink of collapse.

To survive, Sean compromised business integrity for economic survival.

Chet, too, had seen that movie, as he had played an active role as a coconspirator in ZDK's problems!

The strategy was two-fold: to launch the WTP radio station, intended to undermine and disempower not only ZDK but also the foremost target of ALP aggression, the Antigua Observer, owned by Newsco. Ask Chet Greene.

So after weighing self-preservation against disempowerment, Greene, within hours of PM Browne's threat, immediately acquiesced and fired DMW!

However, such actions of threat by Browne, as directed against our National Hero and Living Legend, Sir Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards, DMW, and many others, must be reported to Freedom House, as Freedom House defends the right and virtue of free speech.

The dictatorial dictum of politicians should never muzzle the right of free speech, and that is the core conviction of Freedom House. 

"That freedom flourishes in democratic nations where governments are accountable to their people!"

That's not so in Antigua and Barbuda, it's a nation of legislative bandits, political 'whogaliss' or most conclusively Puppets In Government (PIGS) who rob the public treasury and feed the 'washings' to the people!

It's the ALP agenda to build a powerhouse for the few at the expense of the majority, leaving behind rotting local businesses and great ideas trying to survive!

Prime Minister Browne has failed in his fiduciary duty by not revoking his wife's portfolio, given that selective justice was previously used in the dismissal of four MPs and one Ambassador between 2016 and 2024.

Clearly, MP Maria Browne is untouchable by the nation's Constitution 71(1), the prime minister "is authorised to select or to terminate a member of Cabinet."

It's a case study of greed, conflict of interest, lack of accountability, and transparency driven by political directives and self-motivation!

The political complicity and nepotism are evident in this instance of kleptocracy, aligning with pm Browne's policy of creative enrichment, which is a wedding ceremony of corruption and public disfavor!

Today, the right of rebellion is a necessity; the ALP government must never forget:

Power is like ice in the sun!

Bombshell.

A Three-Part Vehicle-Gate Episode of Corruption: The Fleecing of the Antigua and Barbuda Public Treasury:

Part 2

The Chaos of Antigua Labor Party (ALP) Corruption: National Hero and Living Legend Sir Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards Demands Accountability!

A Three-Part Vehicle-Gate Episode of Corruption: The Fleecing of the Antigua and Barbuda Public Treasury:

Part 3

Money Heist! The Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and the New Directives to Conceal Transactions: The Role of  Raju Boddu!