Gaston Wants Inquiry Into WPP

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Wednesday, 27 June 2012 02:30

By Everton Barnes

Antigua St John's - Antigua Labour Party chairman, Gaston Browne, who had adopted a lukewarm attitude towards the Wadadli Power Plant issue, is now calling on Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer to set up a Commission of Inquiry or an Independent Inquiry into the plant.

Browne also called on his party to unify around the issue of the power plant that has been financed by a loan from the People’s Republic of China. Browne had been at odds with some of the party leaders on the WPP issue, stating publicly that he would not support the contention that the six engines at the plant are not new unless he was presented with what he termed ‘irrefutable evidence’.

Now following an admission from APUA itself that they are experiencing major problems with the engines, Browne is calling on the Prime Minister to formally investigate the matter.

In a letter dated Monday June 25, Browne told Spencer that his government’s failure to adequately address public concerns over the plant has given rise to speculation and the belief by many Antiguans and Barbudans that the WPP engines are old.

“This issue is now a serious national concern. Therefore it is not satisfactory for your government to take the position that no investigation is necessary because, and I quote, ‘those who don’t believe will remain unconvinced, and those who believe, there is no need to convince them’,” he stated.

Browne said that while this position may be utilized in one’s private capacity, it is an unacceptable attitude in resolving an issue of such national or public importance. The letter also addressed the issue of media access to the plant.

“I note that your government has refused access to the Observer Media Group to conduct an independent assessment of the Wadadli Power Plant, and that you have failed to release several of the documents to include test reports, and the engine numbers as requested. As a supporter of APUA's increase power generation policy, I believe that your government has failed to provide evidence to prove that the Wadadli Power Plant is as efficient as its competitor Antigua Power Company (APC) Plant, thereby confirming that this will redound to the benefit of the people in the form of lower electricity cost,” he wrote.

The ALP chairman said the failure of the government to be fully transparent and accountable is inimical to good governance and the advancement of our country. “It is therefore incumbent upon you, in the interest of good governance, in the interest of transparency and accountability, to prove conclusively to the nation that the power engines are new, and that the nation obtained from good value for money,” he declared.

Browne noted that in light of the letter written by Health Minister Wilmoth Daniel to Spencer and his assertion that he had been informed by Ambassador David Shoul that the engines were not new, makes it imperative for Spencer to act with haste to set up the inquiry.

Browne added that if the government has nothing to hide, then Spencer should move quickly to dispel all the suggestions that the engines are old and to bring those making the claim to shame. He cautioned Spencer that his continued failure to address the matter openly will lead to speculation that there was impropriety and it would even lead those in his government and party to question his integrity.



He advised Spencer that should he fail to heed the call for an independent inquiry, then the ALP would have no other choice but to mobilize the entire population, including the Non-Governmental Organizations to bring pressure on the government to set up a Commission of Inquiry into the WPP.

MP Brown letter to the PM is printed below:

June 25, 2012
 
Hon. Dr. Baldwin Spencer
Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister
Queen Elizabeth Highway,
 
Dear Prime Minister,
I write in my capacity as Chairman of the Antigua Labour Party and as the Member of Parliament of St. John’s City West, with concerns about the Old engine fiasco which has occupied the attention of the nation in excess of six months.

Prime Minister, your government’s failure to be totally transparent and accountable on the issue has given rise to speculation and the belief by many Antiguans and Barbudans that the Wadadli Power Plant Engines are old.

This issue is now of serious national concern therefore, it is not satisfactory for your government to take the position that no investigation is necessary because “those who don’t believe will remain unconvinced and those who believe, there is no need to convince them.”

Whereas, this position could be utilised successfully in ones private capacity, it is an unacceptable attitude in resolving an issue of such national or public importance.  I note that your Government has refused access to the Observer Media Group to conduct an independent assessment of the Wadadli Power Plant (WPP) and that you have failed to release several of the documents to include the test reports and the engine numbers as requested. As a supporter of  APUA’s increased power generation policy, I believe, that your Government has failed to provide evidence to prove that the Wadadli Power Plant is as efficient as its competitor Antigua Power Company (APC) plant thereby confirming that this will redound to the benefit of the people in the form of lower electricity costs.   This failure by your government to be fully transparent and accountable is inimical to good governance and the advancement of our country.

It is therefore, incumbent upon you, in the interest of good governance, in the interest of transparency and accountability, to prove conclusively to the nation that the power engines are new and that the nation benefitted from good value for money as a result of the purchase and commissioning of the Wadadli Power Plant. A Commission of Enquiry or an independent investigation would be necessary in these circumstances and even more so, in consideration of the Hon. Wilmouth Daniel’s revelation that he was told by Ambassador Shoul that the engines were used and his subsequent call for an independent investigation.



Prime Minister, I am ware, that the Political Leader of the Antigua Labour Party, the Hon. Lester Bird, had written to Governor General, Dame Louise Lake Tact requesting a Commission of Inquiry without success. However, I respectfully recommend that you revisit the request for an  a Commission of Inquiry and so advise the Governor General accordingly, or institute an Independent Investigation forthwith to satisfy the nation that the engines are indeed new and that the nation obtained good  value for money.

If you and your Government have nothing to hide in this old engine saga then, you should be motivated to move expeditiously to clear your name and to bring those who have been accused of peddling this misinformation to shame.  Failing to quickly and impartially address this issue will continue to encourage speculation of impropriety and leave even those in your own Government and Party to question your integrity. Furthermore, your failure to call an Independent Investigation would leave the Antigua Labour Party no other choice but to mobilize the entire population, to include the non Governmental organizations (NGO’S) to take protest action to force a Commission of Inquiry into this issue.

Once again, as Chairman of the Antigua Labour Party and as the representative of a constituency whose people have been among those hit hardest by the rising cost of electricity, I implore you to do the right thing and advise the Governor General to institute a full Commission of Inquiry, or to proceed directly to institute an Independent Investigation.

Yours truly,
 
Hon. Gaston Browne

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