Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Timothy Antoine (file photo)
Chairman of the Eastern Caribbean Monetary Council and Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne is choosing a cautious approach in response to the ongoing backlash surrounding the excessive costs associated with constructing an official residence for the Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank Timothy Antoine.
The situation gained attention after a letter from Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines addressed to PM Browne was made public.
In his correspondence, Gonsalves voiced serious concerns over the budget overruns, describing the proposed building as resembling a veritable palace and a monumental blunder.
Originally set at $7 million, the projected expenses have ballooned to over $22 million, prompting Gonsalves to call for accountability and significant consequences regarding this financial mismanagement.
Contrastingly, PM Browne advocates for a more measured response, suggesting that the root of the issue lies in systemic failures within the governance framework.
He acknowledged the oversight at the level of the Monetary Council regarding spending, yet emphasized a lack of clarity on the precise extent of the financial commitments made by the directorship.
Browne also defended the integrity of the Governor, stating there is no evidence of any excessive demands or corruption that would question his character.
He proposes the formation of an independent committee to thoroughly investigate the matter and insists that judgment should be withheld until the committee presents its findings.
While he recognizes that the extravagant expenditures have raised alarm among council members, he believes it is too early to draw conclusive remarks or implications about the situation.
An estimated 7 million to a whopping 22 million and nobody on the monetary council was aware of the cost overrun. Especially Antigua’s financial genius Gaston Brown? Wow
Really and truly I agree with PM Ralph. I see this as a complete waste of money with a ridiculously HIGHHHH price tag.
That’s why I like Ralph he don’t put water in his mouth to talk
Wonder what they talking about
Sometimes I sit and feel sorry for PM Browne. It almost seem like everything falls on him. Speaking truthfully though, thats a helluva house for one man and his family. DO you even know the amount of people with no homes? And one man can live like this on the tax payers back? it is not fair
PM feel he smart
This is a real travesty. The entire Board, including the Governor, needs to go. A lot of people across the region are still using Boreholes and no Bathroom. Why build a house of this cost when so many people are suffering.