Deal or No Deal
Kwame Nkosi Romeo
'To Do Righteousness And Justice Is More Acceptable To The Lord Than Sacrifice'
Poverbs Chapter 21 vs 3
Political Villain
Earlier generation toss copper lucre from balconies to the clowns dancing below, but that was Carnival and pennies were generous.
In reality influential descendant continue to dominate our economy on the mortal wounds of our country's hardship; and patronage of deception continues as political villain now dance to the conquest of our economy for serious money. The jam bull reigns.
The Takeover
Similarly the takeover is infinite by private mercenary interest and financial pirates. As rotten deals are exposed, rabid fanaticism espouse ignorance in opposition to public interest along with mass media strategy to safeguard the benefactor.
The hog wash emanating from the air waves in defense of The Hadeed Group of Companies - Antigua Power Company (APC) is exploitation of public interest for exclusive private enterprise accumulation!
Disinformation
Disinformation has its most profound impact with the steady cooperation of the Press in peddling dissension. They are part of the echo chamber and are blatantly partisan.
It is pellucid that political oppurtunist argue for dominant interest absolutely opposing public savings and financial stability. Also their evil covenant with the robber baron expose them as subservient to the contributors control,business monopoly,eventual dominance ; and their arrangement with the oppressor will plunder our economy beyond revival.
Together with those whose social order affirm indigenous people as 'ragtag' and must surrender to the privileged class. No way!
Dispute Exist
Who gave The Hadeed Group of Companies Divine Right? Certainly not the electorate, and if government minister continue to support unscrupulous business practice, the constituents will reject their presence on election day.
If no authorization was given to The Hadeed Group of Companies for generators to be landed in the area of dispute. How is it legal?
Along with that story, is a conflicting deal that await legal interpretation; and cost analysis of a new arrangement that will save Antigua and Barbuda millions of dollars.
Consumer Savings
According to Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) saving assessment from another proposal, and Philip Abbot's statement:
"[APUA] has estimated that we can save $81 million in five years and $155 million in 25 years"
Although the saving to Antigua and Barbuda consumer is self-explanatory, it is not transparent how much is paid to APC. But, it is apparent from approximate saving the contract with APC and APUA should be canceled out.
The country save millions , and Antigua and Barbuda fiscal stability and public saving will progress and benefit.
Remember Lester Bird
Remember when former PM Lester Bird remarked: "Ah me mek dem man, ah me mek dem.."
Those of us who knew he did ,never condemned that statement, because it was true! The Hadeed Group of Companies benefit from Public-Private Partnership, billions in procurement and continuous patronage. But what did the National Treasury gain?
Lester Bird's critical remark was transparent in his Budget Statement 'Consolidating our Gains: Investing In Our Future' Friday ,22 March 2001:
"[330] companies with a turnover of $695 million did not pay one cent in taxes"
And reiterate the imbalance, and callous practice that defraud the treasury and deny public works their salaries:
"Of the remaining 161 companies, 16 of them accounted for 80% of total taxes on companies of $42.9 million"
The robber barons of the National Treasury can be established with absolute certainty
From APC to Antigua Masonry Products (AMP) the concession continues ad infinitum.
West Indies Oil Company (WIOC)
Next on The Hadeed Group of Companies list is to acquire WIOC, and eventually control the primary sources of energy in Antigua and Barbuda. If WIOC is ever acquired by The Hadeed Group of Companies, along with other business interest will represent as much as 20% of Antigua and Barbuda's GDP.
Will the Antigua government endorse that usurpation? Not when more than 40 years of Antigua and Barbuda investment is associated with the WIOC.
WIOC History
The WIOC was a major direct investment project in oil refining, an investment of US$40 million in 1960s, and refurbishing in 1982 at a cost of US$11 million.[?]
From a report by The U.S. Senates Subcommittee on Investigations in 2000, it was noted that Bruce Rapapport's interest was 50%. Who owned the remaining 50% was later established, though there is need for more investigation.
However, the Antigua government had more shares initially than at present; and it would be a travesty if The Hadeed Group acquired WIOC since my earlier anticipation of that happening would be confirmed.
Hon. PM Baldwin Spencer, in my judgment your power is conclusive in protecting the interest of APUA and ultimately saving Antigua and Barbuda millions! And now its times to empower indigenous people ;and in cooperation with government purchase WIOC.
Kwame Nkosi Romeo
aka Bombshell