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Thursday, 24 May 2012 02:30
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By D Francis
Antigua St John's - Local officials are looking into reports of an illegal operation of dwelling quarters in a building located at the back of the Multipurpose Cultural Center at Perry Bay.
Ardent listeners to the morning talk shows may recall that this issue was brought to the fore by the self-proclaimed ‘The Voice ‘James ‘Tanny’ Rose who called for a thorough investigation into the matter.
Caribarena.com spoke with Senator Anthony Stuart, head of the St. John’s Development Corporation (SJDC), who confirmed that following investigations, it was discovered that a Chinese male has been using the building and collecting monies for rent from Tenants who are mainly Guyanese and Jamaicans for a number of years.
Sen. Stuart added, “from my understanding, this building was erected to house the group of Chinese who were working for the Chinese construction Firm Complant on several projects in Antigua several years ago. After they left, this one Chinese male stayed and started this operation collecting rent monies from a number of tenants, I think based on what the records show , it could be from as way back as 2009-2010”.
Senator Stuart said they have since met with this individual and demand that all monies regarding this operation be turned over to the SJDC. He said the individual in question has signed an agreement to the effect whereby he will pay a lump sum in the first instance, followed by a monthly sum until all the monies that he had collected is paid back.

Sen. Stuart said the man has already started to make good on this agreement. If he errs, legal action will be taken. “He did not give any problems when we met and told him what is expected, I mean he must
realize what he was doing was illegal - renting government property for personal profit. In terms of the Tenants, we have since given them notice to find alternative housing within a three month
period, they are actually squatting on government land since they had not gone through the proper channels to rent the property and also, the condition of this building and the surroundings
are not sanitary for people to actually live, so that was a concern as well,” Sen. Stuart said.
In terms of reports that the property had electricity attached, Sen. Stuart said he is not sure how this was done and if the units were metered.
Efforts are being made to reach the Electricity Manager of APUA regarding this.
Sen. Stuart said since the Tenants and the Chinese were given notice to vacate the premise, the SJDC have not collected any rent fees from the tenants nor have they paid any more monies to the Chinese.
He did not give a figure of the entire sum that is expected to be retrieved from the Chinese male but hinted that given the number of years and the number of units, it is a substantial amount.
The building is said to have 18 units and a kitchen.
24 Comments In This Article
I am no fool
"I think based on what the records show , it could be from as way back as 2009-2010” - What records? Are all chinese nationals living in Antigua and Barbuda diplomats and therefore fall under the ambits of diplomatic immunity? I just have all these questions.
Doe Doe
Forget the West ... this is Wild Wild Wadadli
No police to investigate ... just give him the money!!!
No prosecution ... just give him the money!!!
No judge involved ... just give him the money!!!
No deportation ... just give him the money!!!
No one else has to be involved ... just give him the money!!!
The next time I need a loan I guess I can rent some government properties out to individuals untill the government catches me ... then I can just pay back the money without having to face any prosecution ... voila ... I just created a loan!!!
Or is it only the Chinese who can get away with that ... are the UPP afraid of upsetting their biggest investor (the Chinese government) who is supposed to deliver Baldwins school in Five Island?
This is ridiculous an investigation should be made into everything ... how do they know how long the people were really there? And Stuart acknowledged it was an illegal act how come charges are not laid!!!
It Is Me
RE: Illegal Living Quarters Discovered
lamanex
Easy
St. Philip North
what is this?
rupert j.
Cautios
Joslyn
stunned
Jane
unfair
senior citizen
Pomposity Meets An Idiot Abroad & Becomes Confused & Bewildered!
This speaks to more Visionary and Strategic Issues. No Technology Transfer so these Miscreant Orientals remain. "Ah Dem Run Tings" - Sir Viv Stad. WPP.
Scrap the SJDC and create a Municipality of St. Johns.
Finally, Haul this Miscreant & Criminal before a Judge. Jail & Deport the SOB.
Heaven Help The Nation Of Antigua & Barbuda.
John French II
...where's the joke?...
Jumbee Picknee
he shold be jail.
born antigua woman
Health Hazard
PLM
Dessalines
..
tenman
RE: Illegal Living Quarters Discovered
Morris
De Real Observer
Osbert R. Frederick
Different strokes for different folks?
But the laws of Antigua & Barbuda, when Chinese nationals are involved, takes quite some interesting twists and turns. Only in Antigua!
Dax Rebel
THAT'S IT?
OO7
Antiguan
Born
my poor likkle island.
lethal.
say what
insight
Bull**
Mike
RE: Illegal Living Quarters Discovered
Dessalines
rent
danspeng
RE: Illegal Living Quarters Discovered
It seems the list of illegal activities that the Chinese are committing is growing with every passing day.
By the way has the Chinese workers that came in to build the new Terminal, paid and got their work permits? Mr. Williams can you answer this.
R. Berry
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