Antigua Residents Urged to March Against Government Agencies
Lead Opposition Party Calls for answers on Controversial Issues
The call is coming from the Leader of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Harold Lovell, who said that the ‘United March for Justice’ should not be seen as a political rally.
March Demands
“We are asking persons to wear white. That is because this is not a UPP march. We are not going out there to seek votes for the United Progressive Party,” he said.
Government agencies are “failing” the people, and the march should serve as a “wake up call” to them and compel them to perform their requisite duties.
Passport Office Allegations
Among the demands that are being made is for there to be a full forensic audit of the passport office after police recently charged suspended assistant superintendent of police, Ray Anthony John, and his mother 63-year-old Yvonne Nickie, both of Gunthorpes with five counts of conspiracy to forge Antigua and Barbuda passports, contrary to Common Law.
John is also accused of committing several other passport-related offences.
PV Energy Involvement
The UPP also wants a “full investigation into the relationship between the government of Antigua and Barbuda and PV Energy.”
The government’s dealings with the company first raised concern among sections of the citizenry on May 11, when a U.K. High Court, in a judgement, revealed that British billionaire Peter Virdee and a PV Energy employee, Dieter Trutschler – had been taped discussing an attempted shake-down by MP Asot Michael, who also tried to solicit gifts from one of them during his tenure as Minister of Tourism and Energy back in 2016.
Demand for Answers
Lovell said that his party will seek to get these issues addressed through every legal means available to it, including making inquiries through the Integrity Commission, marches and the court system.
He added, however, “If despite these efforts the government remains deaf and dumb…then I have put on record my willingness to call on the people of Antigua and Barbuda to engage in civil disobedience, if we have to, when all else fails.”
March and Demands
Lovell is also calling on residents to march against “police incompetence and sex scandals,” and eye-brow-raising plans for agriculture and Barbuda lands.
The march is expected to begin at 3 p.m. at the Antigua & Barbuda Workers Union headquarters on Newgate Street.
Conclusion
The Unity March for Justice is not just a call for justice, but a call to action for the people of Antigua and Barbuda to demand accountability from their government and its agencies. The march is a signal that the people will not be silenced and will demand answers to the many pressing issues that affect their lives.
FAQs
Q: What is the purpose of the Unity March for Justice?
A: The purpose of the march is to demand answers from government agencies on several controversial issues.
Q: Who is leading the march?
A: The march is led by the Leader of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Harold Lovell.
Q: What is the expected outcome of the march?
A: The expected outcome is that the government and its agencies will take action to address the issues raised by the citizens of Antigua and Barbuda.
Q: Can I participate in the march?
A: Yes, anyone who is concerned about the issues affecting Antigua and Barbuda is welcome to participate in the march.
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