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SPENCER'S NATIONAL ADDRESSES
PRIME
MINISTER
THE
HONOURABLE
NATIONAL
ADDRESS
TO
MARK THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY
OF
THE INAUGURATION
OF
THE SUNSHINE GOVERNMENT
RADIO/TV
SIMULCAST
WEDNESDAY
MARCH 23, 2005 – 7:00 PM
Fellow
Antiguans and Barbudans;
Residents
and Friends of
We
mark this anniversary of the first rays of the Sunshine Government with a new
spirit, renewed purpose, and clear vision.
We
also mark this anniversary of the first rays of the Sunshine Government with
enduring gratitude and deep humility.
Ever
cognizant that to God goes the glory, the Government went to church this
morning.
We
felt this was the most fitting opening to the day marking the first anniversary
of one of the most momentous developments in our nation’s history.
Many
of you were in the congregation at the Ecumenical Service at the
Many
more of you would have joined us in the television and radio audiences for the
live transmission of the proceedings.
We
gave thanks to the Almighty for His constant presence in the first year of the
Sunshine Government.
In
my tribute at the service, I praised God, as I always do, as our constant
compass on our nation’s journey from its troubled past to its present promise
of a bright tomorrow.
The
world, it seemed, celebrated with us as March 23, 2004 brought the dawn of a new
independence and the rebirth of our beloved nation.
One
year later, I offer particular thanks to the Almighty for a nation united as One
Family.
In
the face of daily incitements to hate and spite, unrelentingly unleashed upon
our society in a manifest agenda of destabilization, our nation, by God’s
grace,
We
can all take heart in knowing that God remains a constant in all we do.
We,
the members of the government, genuinely believe that we can best serve God’s
purpose by faithfully serving the people to our best abilities.
In
this quest, we continue to make every effort to implement the programmes and
projects we outlined in “Agenda for Change”.
It
should not be a matter for condemnation that in the first year of Sunshine
Government, in the first rays of Sunshine Government, we could only begin the
process of transformation that we planned, and promised.
What
we met on coming into office was of considerably more challenging dimensions
than the crisis we had anticipated.
We
were immediately immersed in chaos and catastrophe of an extent and character
that could not have been predicted, and that we never expected.
The
chaos and catastrophe that we met extended beyond the country’s financial
affairs and the shape of the economy.
The
chaos and catastrophe that we met extended beyond the void resulting from the
improper removal of important official files from government offices.
The
chaos and catastrophe that we met included a transport fleet with no count or
control of the purchase, condition and location of an estimated 1,000 state
owned vehicles.
None
of this was isolated.
This
was typical of the state of the broad apparatus of the government.
We
did the best with what we met.
We
implemented as much of our agenda as was possible in the first year.
The
Government, however, was forced into virtually full-time crisis management from
the moment of our swearing in, a year ago.
All
things considered, we managed as well as any administration could have done in
the circumstances that confronted us.
Indeed,
in the first year, we have succeeded in putting the country on a better footing
than we found it a year ago.
Just
over year ago,
Just
over a year ago, technical officers at VC Bird International Airport shut down
the country because they could take no more pressure from their employer, the
Government of Antigua and
Just
over a year ago, public servants approached every payday with anxiety and dread;
not knowing when, and if, they would be paid their salaries.
That
was the way it was just over a year ago.
Financial
institutions were calling mortgages, and repossession was rife with appliances
and furniture suppliers.
Things
are better now for families and for businesses.
Tourism
revenues are rising.
More
transatlantic flights are coming in.
Stay-over
visitors are increasing.
Cruise
passengers have increased dramatically.
Numerous
new restaurants are opening up.
Job
advertisements are up.
We
are stabilising the economy.
All
the indices are positive.
However,
economic reality drives the fiscal and monetary policies we must consider.
The
Personal Income Tax is one such policy.
The
Personal Income Tax is, at this time, not merely an option, it is an inescapable
imperative.
The
Personal Income Tax is a necessary cornerstone in laying the foundation for a
fresh start for the economy, the nation, and the mass of the people.
The
country has been living an economic fantasy in an economic bubble that obscured
reality with rhetoric.
For
a long time
Through
the years,
I
do not know if we are to believe all that we are hearing in the public debate
about the re-introduction of Personal Income Tax.
It
does seem, however, that the conclusion to be drawn from the callers on the
radio talk shows, is that a majority of the better off in the society may have
also been living well above their means.
Fellow
Antiguans and Barbudans;
Residents
and Friends of
It
is true that in just one year, judicious fiscal management has already brought
genuine economic gains.
Great
credit for this must go to the Minister of Finance and the Economy and his
advisors and staff; to the enterprise and resourcefulness of our business
community; as well as to the resilience of the Antiguan and Barbudan people.
However,
such advances as we have achieved are of necessity, incremental and gradual.
With
limited landmass, with limited natural resources, and with limited population
numbers, we cannot effect, nor should we expect, anything remotely resembling a
short-term economic miracle.
This
means that as we grapple with the challenges that confront the nation on a daily
basis, the government does not dare ignore its obligation to devise a plan to
move our nation to the next level.
Given
all the setbacks this nation has suffered in its recent past, the government has
the inescapable obligation to formulate strategies for preparing the country for
a quantum leap to growth and prosperity, and to a secure future.
Nothing
less will do.
We
can contemplate nothing less.
Our
best strategy for success and survival is the rapid development of our human
capital on a Platform of Excellence.
What
we lack in size, scale, and numbers, we must replace with the quality of the
education and the calibre of the skills with which we must equip the Antiguan
and Barbudan people.
I
propose, therefore, that we mobilise all our resources, all our sectors, in
constructing a Platform of Excellence as this country’s key strategy to a
quantum leap forward.
The
National Economic and Social Council will be a key catalyst in this mission.
From
this Platform of Excellence, we must rapidly equip our population with the
knowledge skills that are critical to success in the 21st Century.
From
this Platform of Excellence, every child must be imbued with a focus on
achievement; every adult with a focus on learning and training; every worker
with a focus on productivity.
From
this Platform of Excellence, every person must accept the need for
responsibility as an essential obligation of citizenship.
From
this Platform of Excellence, we must achieve the dramatic enhancement of our
human capital that will be fundamental to success in the Caribbean Single Market
and Economy.
Dramatic
enhancement of our human capital will be fundamental to succeeding in the Free
trade Area of the
Dramatic
enhancement of our human capital will be fundamental to competing in the global
village, which is now a single world economy.
All
of this means that our key priority for the second year of the Action Agenda is
already firmly fixed.
Though
the challenges are formidable, we have no option but to set as our primary
national objective for development, the swift transformation of
It
will take a Revolution in Education to transform
We
identified this as a key national objective in “Agenda for Change,” the
United Progressive Party’s election manifesto.
I
see it as Job Number One for the second year of Government in the Sunshine that
we make a quantum leap to a knowledge based society in an intelligent nation.
We
can only do this job in partnership with civil society.
The
government must form partnerships with civil society similar to that which we
have formed with the Stanford Group.
These
partnerships must then move immediately to upgrade, expand and establish new
education and training systems and facilities.
The
revolution in education must embrace not only our young people, but also all in
the nation, in a cycle of lifelong learning.
Incidental
to the major areas of the revolution in education, an immediate and realistic
target is, that by the end of this year, every school in
This
is a realistic target.
As
a component of the revolution in education, we have to bring back the brains
that fled
I
met many talented and successful sons and daughters of the soil on my North
American tour last year.
Many
came back for the Independence Homecoming Festival.
Many
of the fine minds that fled this country are eager for the opportunity to come
home.
They
told me so.
We
need to attract them to return home to help in the reconstruction of our nation.
We
can only achieve this in partnership with the private sector.
A
key strategy for the second year of the government will be strong partnerships
for development between government and the private sector.
In
just one year, we have shaped a climate conducive to investor confidence, and to
above-board investor collaboration with the Government.
In
the first year, we succeeded in creating a new concept of governance and a new
environment for the quantum leap forward that the nation urgently needs.
The
Integrity in Public Life Act, the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Freedom
of Information Act define Antigua and Barbuda as a nation operating an ethical
framework of first world standard.
We
shall shortly buttress this range of legislation with the Equal Opportunity Act.
The
Equal Opportunity Act will outlaw discrimination on grounds of race, religion,
ethnicity, gender, age, political affinity, place of origin, and disability.
The
Equal Opportunity Act will define and punish hate crimes motivated by violence
against, or incitements to violence against persons because of race, religion,
ethnicity, gender, age, political affinity, place of origin, or disability.
The
Equal Opportunity Act will also define and punish sexual harassment in the
workplace.
In
expansion of the ethical framework that the Government has brought to public
affairs, the Tenders Board Act will shortly be reviewed, with the aim of
strengthening and streamlining the Tender Process.
In
related context, the
The
The
Authority will operate a transparent, equitable, best practices, investment
code.
It
will be a one-stop shop for local and foreign investors.
The
Investment Authority will provide
advisory and support services to local business enterprises.
Such
advice will assist local business enterprises in exporting goods and services.
The
Investment Authority
will liaise with other government authorities to secure
industrial and agricultural land required by investors to implement their
projects.
The
Authority will assist
investors in securing all certificates, approvals, authorisations and permits
required by law in order to set up and operate a business enterprise.
The
BuildUp Business Act will be companion legislation to the Investment Authority
Act.
This
legislation will deliver a manifesto promise geared to expanding the country’s
entrepreneurial base.
The
BuildUp Business Act will reserve 25 percent of all government project contracts
and procurement to be reserved for small business.
It
will reserve a similar proportion of private construction projects requiring
government approvals for qualified micro, small and medium size businesses.
The
Act will mandate government on-time payment by government agencies, of all
invoices related to contracts and procurement generated by the legislation.
The
second year of this term will see the implementation of a number of strategies
for expanding economic opportunity and diversifying the country’s economic
bases.
We
have the opportunity to develop a creative sector that will make a significant
contributor to the economy.
Last
year, the Independence Homecoming Festival added a new component to the creative
product mix.
The
Community Pride programme will come into its own this year.
To
unearth and unleash potential creative contribution to the national economy, the
government will appoint a National Cultural Commission.
The
National Cultural Commission will be charged with optimising the economic
contribution of the creative sector.
Agenda
for Change identifies a number of related options for development of a creative
sector.
Once
fully functioning, the National Cultural Commission will be charged with
establishing a National Art Collection and inaugurating an annual Exposition of
the Art of the
Both
projects will spur the energies of our talented people.
The
National Cultural Commission will be charged with oversight of the Independence
Homecoming Festival and the Community Pride programme.
To
generate momentum in the mainstream economy, I shall shortly convene a Jobs
Summit involving all sectors of civil society.
I
am confident that the Jobs Summit can indeed generate a significant number of
new jobs.
On
the agenda for the Jobs Summit will be:
¾
The
increased the participation of local contractors, skills and labour in all
projects requiring government approval;
¾
The
reservation of certain categories of construction, design and management
contracts for local entities in all projects requiring government approval; and
¾
The
contribution of One Day’s pay to the creation of jobs for unemployed fellow
citizens.
In
the second year, the government will step up social programmes geared to the
empowerment of the less privileged.
Parallel
with this, we will add momentum to the public sector development programme.
Earlier
today, I broke ground for the construction of the Sunrise
Community Hub at the East Bus Station location.
The
I
expect the
Proposals
for the comprehensive re-development of
Fundamental
to our economic perspectives, is the dramatic enhancement of our tourism
product, and the expansion of our hotel plant.
Both
are related sides of the same coin.
As
we develop niche sectors in our tourism mix, we shall place sustained emphasis
on sports tourism.
There
is where the newly established Sports Tourism Alliance comes in.
I
now challenge Sir Viv Richards, Chairman of the Sports Tourism Alliance, CEO of
the
ShapeUp
for WorldCup is
self-explanatory.
The
objective of ShapeUp
for WorldCup is to make Antigua and
I
thank Sir Viv and Richie in advance for leading the national team in bringing
home that championship and all the economic benefits that will follow, as well
as those that will come with it.
In
other tourism action, the second year will bring significant action on a number
of our manifesto pledges.
These
include:
¾
The
¾
Travel
and Tourism in the schools curriculum
¾
Vendors
Kiosks at
¾
An
Eco-Tourism policy/strategy
¾
Protection
for the country’s reserves of beach sand
Prominent
on the Government’s agenda for the coming year, is the rule of law and the
need for justice to be seen to be done.
A
number of key concerns are critical to the population’s perception of the need
for justice to be seen to be done in certain matters.
Among
those matters are:
¾
The
Missing Government Files
¾
Fraudulent
Land Transfers
¾
The
Operations of State Controlled
Corporations
I
can only give the assurance that these matters are proceeding through the
appropriate legal channels.
I
can say no more on this, since the legal process is independent of the
executive.
Fellow
Antiguans and Barbudans;
Residents
and Friends of
In
concluding, I can think of nothing more appropriate than to pledge to you that
your government will continue to do all that is possible to fulfill our
fundamental purpose of improving the lives of the Antiguan and Barbudan people.
May
we all share the conviction at Easter and afterwards that all of us in our
beloved nation are One Family.
I
wish you and yours a Holy and a Joyous Easter.
Thank
you for listening.
May
God bless you and your loved ones.
May
God bless our nation.
PRIME
MINISTER
NATIONAL
ADDRESS
TV/RADIO
SIMULCAST
AIRPORT
DEVELOPMENTS
January
19, 2005
Good
Evening:
Cabinet
yesterday took its much-anticipated decision on the proposal for franchising VC
Bird International Airport to the consortium known as Antigua Airport Group.
Over
recent weeks, that proposal has been central in a public debate of an intensity
not experienced in this country since March 22nd, last year.
If
ever negotiations on a major investment project requiring government sanction
were conducted in the sunshine of public scrutiny, this was an instructive case
model.
The
nation’s radio stations and its legitimate newspapers, in addition to being
the principal conduits for competing interests in the debate, appeared, at
times, to be less than objective in a situation in which the mantle fell to the
media to be the honest brokers in the public discourse.
The
media, nonetheless, served a vital public purpose in providing the platform for
public expression on the Airport issue.
The
level and frequency of personal invective, character assassination and
muckraking from certain callers on the talk shows that featured in the Airport
debate were unhealthy and is destructive to any society.
Early
today, I met with executives of the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association.
The
member cruise lines of that organisation account for most of the close to
400,000 cruise passengers visiting
We
would like to see an increase to half a million cruise passengers within the
next couple of years; and to one million, ultimately.
These
are achievable objectives as we work to make Antigua and Barbuda the best brand
in
The
benefits that visitors, including cruise passengers, bring to the Antiguan and
Barbudan people are significant, and well recognised.
Imagine,
however, if those executives of the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association who are
now in
Imagine
if you will that visitors in our twin island state at this, the peak of the
winter tourist season, and the executives of the airlines that brought them here
might be exposed to the racial and anti foreigner incitements, on local “Hate
Radio”.
Imagine,
too, if investors, travel agents, and potential Visitors in the Internet
Audience on the World Wide Web were to surf to “Hate Radio” in
There
are those who may be prompt in criticising these concerns with the retort that
there is Hate Radio in
Such
retorts would underline an unfortunate disregard for our country’s investment
prospects, our tourism fortunes, and, by extension, the well being, of all
Antiguans and Barbudans.
Those
character assassins inflicting their daily outpourings of bile on Hate Radio are
every bit as deadly as is any paid assassin.
In
the post 9/11 world, travelers routinely place safety at the top of their
criteria in choosing vacation destinations.
In
the current global environment of targeted terrorism, safety concerns are also
paramount with international investors.
Within
this framework, the ongoing race-hate and anti-foreigner assaults on local radio
are a serious threat to the interests of our society.
It
is safe to predict that by tomorrow morning, if not later this evening, the Hate
Radio group whose reason and judgment appear to be chronically perverted, will
no doubt be working overtime to pollute the framework in which the government is
succeeding, against very long odds, in reconstructing the economy.
Less
than ten months in office, the Sunshine Government has already established that
though we are a small nation, we are overwhelming in human worth and
self-respect.
International
investors understand this.
They
know that my Government only considers win-win propositions in the investment
proposals we negotiate.
The
world has a different view of
Evidence
of this is that the President of the
We
are committed to transforming this country into a model nation, among all
nations of the world.
Exactly
six months ago, today, at the OECS regional launch of the 2004 UNDP Human
Development Report, I defined my perspective for governance in
I
will again share that perspective with the nation.
In
my view, Government exists to:
·
Provide
means for the representation of the diverse interests that make up our society.
·
Offer
a forum for reconciling the competing claims of those interests.
·
Create
and protect an open public sphere in which unconstrained debate about policy
issues can ensue.
·
Provide
a diversity of public services, including social security and a social safety
net for the vulnerable in our society.
·
Regulate
market forces in the public interest and foster market competition where
monopoly threatens.
·
Foster
social peace through strict control of the means of violence and through the
provision of effective law enforcement agencies and extensive community
policing.
·
Enhance
and sustain an effective system of law.
·
Promote
the active development of human capital through a core role in national
development.
·
Have a
direct economic role, as a prime employer, in macro and micro economic
intervention, where necessary to ensure social justice.
·
Provide
infrastructure commensurate to the requirements of a High Human Development
nation aspiring to first world standard and status.
·
Conduct
the nation’s business in the sunshine of public scrutiny.
·
Provide
a civilising influence; in reflecting widely held norms and values, and in
helping to shape them, in the education system and elsewhere.
·
Foster
regional and transnational alliances and pursue global goals.
This
is a summary of the Sunshine Government’s Charter for Good Governance.
It
is appropriate that I repeat one of those fundamentals of good governance:
·
The
role of Government is to have a direct economic role, as a prime employer, in
macro and micro economic intervention, where necessary.
This
is an affirmation that as we shape a market driven economy, my Government has no
intention of making
I
am acutely conscious of the fact that fundamental to market forces is survival
of the fittest.
I
have the obligation, and my government has the obligation, to provide protection
for the vulnerable and opportunity to the disadvantaged.
Tourism
represents the commanding heights of our economy.
We
own neither cruise ships nor airlines to supply visitors to this country.
Our
international airport is a strategic asset to our nation.
We
are experiencing a good season.
New
plant and improved product are coming on stream.
We
expect a substantial tourism growth for the 2005 winter season.
We
expect continuing growth for 2006 and succeeding winters.
And
we expect unprecedented numbers for Cricket World Cup in 2007.
VC
Bird International has long been inadequate.
We
cannot afford to lose any more time in putting appropriate facilities in place.
All
that I have discussed with you this evening came into play among members of the
Government, even before yesterday’s Cabinet meeting.
Consensus
was immediate and total when the proposed agreement for franchising the VC Bird
International Airport came up for discussion.
In
submitting the Draft Agreement that was prepared under his oversight, the
Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation urged Cabinet to consider an alternative
option, and a pragmatic option.
This
is to Minister Lovell’s enduring credit.
Yesterday,
the Cabinet decided against the alienation of VC Bird International Airport.
Neither
VC Bird International Airport nor its revenue streams will be franchised under
the AAG bid.
We
now have to make up for the time lost in the controversial AAG franchise bid.
The
Cabinet has decided to proceed immediately with extensive upgrade and expansion
of VC Bird International Airport.
To
this end, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda will immediately incorporate a
company to raise the funds, contract and supervise the resources necessary for
the upgrade, expansion and operation of a vastly superior facility that will
meet, if not surpass international standards.
The
government is confident that the required funding will be readily forthcoming
from local, regional and international capital sources.
I
will keep the nation informed every step of the way on this crucial national
mission.
The
Government envisages that in time, the shares in the company that will own and
operate the country’s airport will be vested in a National Investment
Corporation, which the Government will shortly establish.
Shares
in the National Investment Corporation will be sold to the public, with limits
on individual and corporate blocs of shares.
This
means that at no time will the sovereignty of the people be alienated.
There
may well be a place for the ABI group and other local entities, as well as the
AAG group and the Stanford Group in the design, funding and construction of a
completely redeveloped VC Bird International Airport.
With
this strategic asset, however, sovereignty is indivisible.
The
Airport franchise debate confirmed the fact that the United Progressive Party
Administration has indeed brought government into the sunshine.
The
Airport franchise debate also underlined the reality that transparency has its
challenges.
There
were dimensions to the Airport franchise debate that would be unacceptable in
any civilised society, no matter how vigorous the exercise of democratic
expression.
In
this context, the editorial in today’s Daily Observer is heartening.
It
should be required reading in every school, and in every newsroom.
Ladies
and Gentlemen, Fellow Citizens, Residents and Friends:
The
decision that I have reported will not please everyone.
I
urge, however, that you support this decision and your Government’s intentions
with your goodwill and your prayers.
I
pray God’s blessings on you and your loved ones.
I
pray God’s continued blessings on our beloved
Thank
you. Good Night.
PRIME
MINISTER
THE
HONOURABLE
CABINET
RESTRUCTURING
NATIONAL
ADDRESS
JANUARY
5, 2005
Fellow
Antiguans and Barbudans here at home and in other lands;
Residents,
Visitors and Friends of
Good
evening.
In
my New Year’s Message to the nation, I disclosed my intention to review the
structure of the Cabinet and the assignment of ministerial responsibilities.
Since
my disclosure, I have had the benefit of advice on this matter from a broad
spectrum of the society.
I
thank all who have expressed views on this issue.
I
welcome the opinions, solicited and voluntary, that has been proffered to me.
The
degree of consideration that I have given to such counsel might be surprising
to some.
I
assure you, nonetheless, that I have listened intently to all who have
commented through the media and directly to me.
I
continue to be gratified at the extent of the nation’s interest in the
workings of the government.
This
is a manifestation of the population’s embrace of the principle of the
participatory democracy which cradles the new political culture and the new
governance that the United Progressive Party has pledged to the Antiguan and
Barbudan people.