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Absolute Scandal: Gonzalves Criticizes ECCB Governor’s $22M ”Palace”

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St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonzalves.

The Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonzalves, has condemned the decision to allocate EC$22 million for an official residence for the Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), Timothy Antonine.

Prime Minister Browne, the current chairman of the ECCU Monetary Council, confirmed to Antigua.news that he has received Gonzalves’s correspondence.

In the letter, Dr Gonsalves expressed outrage over the expenditure, which he deems an “absolute scandal.”

ECCB building under construction in St Kitts (photo credit St Kitts Nevis times

“The poor and working people of our region are being called upon to foot the bill. It appears as though the unelected Levites and Mandarins have gone stark mad!”

Gonzalves stated emphatically, underscoring his shock and anger regarding the lavish spending at a time when many are struggling with economic hardship.

As the current chairman of the ECCU Monetary Council, Browne faces the growing concern over the ECCB’s financial priorities.

Gonzalves criticized the decision to build a 10,000-square-foot mansion, asserting that member countries of the ECCU surely cannot justify such expenditure while citizens grapple with rising food prices and increased poverty.

See a copy of the letter below:

whatsapp-group-names-for-family-friends (1)

Letter to PM, Antigua-Barbuda re Residence for ECCB Governor (1)

This story was first published by Antigua News on : antigua.news/2025/03/05/absolute-scandal-gonzalves-criticizes-eccb-governors-22m-palace. © 2025 Antigua News. Republication without permission is not allowed.

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Comments (8)

  • Stone March 5, 2025, 11:17 AM

    What say ye, Mr prime minister??
    Reply

  • Teacher for Life March 5, 2025, 11:17 AM

    And as the world turns….oligarchy is taking over with no sympathy or regard for the struggles of the working class.
    Reply

  • Anonymous National March 5, 2025, 11:56 AM

    It is scandalous. Especially since you have mental health going untreated and elderly abuse rampant. Please rain in the power of the police and let them be aware their job is to protect and serve and not act like they are above the law and abuse the citizenry
    Reply

    • Teacher for Life March 5, 2025, 1:49 PM

      Hear!Hear!
      Reply

    • Marcelline Edwards March 5, 2025, 10:20 PM

      Roosevelt Skerrit has done the same and not a dog bark in the big man’s club of corrupt, greedy and selfish political leaders in the Caribbean. They all know that the poor tax payers of Dominica are footing the bill of $64,000 monthly for the ilk to live in his own mansion while the poor masses of the land grapple and sink buy God does not sleep.
      Reply

  • Doni March 5, 2025, 2:48 PM

    How can any clear thinking technocrat be of the view that constructing such a grandiose monstrosity be prudent use of tax payers money? I’m sure as always the devil is in the details. Why was this project given the go ahead? Who oversee such spending decisions? The PM of SVG may surely know more than is tabled in the letter, but whether it’s a last minute realization or not. It is important that the people of the region be made aware of how the authorities seem to have little concerns for how money is used. Think of all the clinics, schools and police stations that are in need of repairs across the region but the monies are not available for such things. This is an outrage by any stretch.
    Reply

  • Caprice March 5, 2025, 5:51 PM

    He is not the only one with luxury homes that are technically being paid by the state. Look close and you shall see
    Reply

  • Memos March 7, 2025, 1:03 PM

    Not just the Central Bank but the other entities connected at the ECCB ECHMB, and ECSE. All have reckless spending and need an overhaul.
    Reply

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