Skywell, the dates of the transaction suggest to me that a special chinese company was set up to supply these engines and so I believe that this is serious racketeering and people in Antigua are knowledgeable about the process and benefitted.

The plants have been power washed and will be regularly from now on especially since journalist from the observer group is due to visit the plant next week.

Martin's statement is coming after APUA's board were summoned to an emergency meeting at which PM Spencer was present. Why do you that the PM attended?

maybe the chinese were talking about refurbished engines and not new ,maybe thats the mistake.

What is martin trying to say ? Is the Chinese power plant new or used.
2. Are the alternators ,used or new..
3. Has there being any repainting done to the engines?
3. Are all componets new?

if this is proven to be true, Amb. Shoul should be made to resign immediately!

PM don't destroy our Party to protect anyone!

"Never attribute to consperacy, that which can be explained by stupidity."

Baldwin needs to get Arvil Grant - his buddy - to go and see the power plants and tell us if they are new!

The UPP don't have a scandal on their hands. They have a whole scandal bag and this one is so heavy it burst the bag! I am sure the "fencing crew", the "sidewalk crew" and the "airport crew" will be breathing a sy of relief for a while.

Our Pm and his Ambassador stuck us with this US$47,000,000 lemon that will probably be so expensive to fuel soon that it might just eventually sit there and rott away till thieves ship the scrap metal away.

It would be interesting to see the pics, price and terms of agreement the other local investor was offering for his plant they refused that was already here. And compare plants. Which I think should of been done in the first place. I here some people talk foolishness about "one family" shouldn't own monopoly in electricity etc... I want to know if it is a "Hadeed" thing because if "one family" (let's say the Harney's) decide to invest in a massive solar energy plant tommorrow and controll most of the grid are we still gonna tell them no "one family" crap. It's "one family" who rules China. And allot of big international companys are "one family" business (take Sandals/Beaches for instance).

Love U Man,but it sounds like u used up 29 pieces and you are down to ur last piece of that Silver.Dont accept any more Ruler,Its just not worth it. it probably is coper disguise as a nother 30 pieces of silver things are getting hard for that Gang that dont shoot straight, you stop casting a shaddow blocking out the Real SunShine.

Thanks JP. I was a little under the weather since yesterday so i stayed home today now i feel great after a very good laugh while reading your blogg.i sense ur anger with the government but the way things are u should'nt worry, soon we all will be able to breath in CLEAN FRESH ALP I MEAN ANTIGUA SWEEET AIR,so u can EXHALE now. Antigua Real to the rescue,how sweet it is that all Antiguans will soon be laughing, singing and hugging oneanother.We can handle toh GOOD and the BAD but the UGLY must go.

fnpsr & Morris I love those especially (China man say..). Morris perhaps they did and the Chinese reminded them that since there is a moratorium, they get to use it for 5 years and pay hardly nothing. People (buyers) for some strange reason see credit as meaning free and a deal too good to pass up (they think short term). This is the same thing Brother B (MP Baptist) highlighted (moratorium) when telling us the Venezuela housing project was too good for them to let go, and now look at the mess that currently is.

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I can Dig it, The Engines are new so it must the oil that we are seeing all over is old. This was nothing but the old bait and switch,and what makes it worst they cant return them for a refund. They were out of their league.

Why didn't you tell those guys to ask the Chinese for the "GenFax during the negotiations?" They probably thought you meant, and asked for, the CarFax instead. LOL!!!

John French II, the short answer to your question is no!!

Tenman, I guess APUA was "lazy".

Chinaman says, "anything that's cheap - no good. Anything that's good - no cheap."

"Let's fix the little things before we attempt to fix the big things."

It's time the Prime Minister call a press conference and explain this situation. First of all if he had followed proper procedures and brought the whole agreement to parliament 5 years ago we wouldn't be having so many questions. We would of only had the issue of telling the Chinese to take back their old power plant. Now not only do we seem to have an old power plant but we don't even know how much it really cost and to make things worse ... if it is a used power plant we have to use the Chinese courts and laws to deal with any litigations according to the contract ... and our PM was telling us in parliament about how such a wonderfull job the ambassador did in negotiating this deal ... Look ... it's time you call a press conference or resign ... ya'll don't own Antigua or APUA for that matter you are simply workers working for the people. And I don't know why the people didn't fire some of them yet.

people Like you have a strong tendency to blame the media for their failures. As horrible as the media can be, they are not the problem in this case.
Blaming the media is an excuse.
Point yours fingers elsewhere,
I’ve read plenty of blogs and letters to the editor. Apparently, this scandal is everyone else’s fault. Everyone except the APUA and the GOAB.

It is the easy way out to be angry and argue, its harder to have to face something you don’t want to face.

Thats the reason the attention is again taken away from where it should be.

Chef you take care you hear! I don't like microwave food only
stove top.

cool ruler, you made chef UPPee him self with laughter, are you for real??take some advice from a microwave Chef. The UPP regime does not need any media house including caribarena to undermine the public confidence in it's government. The UPP has done a superb job of undermine them self without any help from caribarena . cool ruler you are really giving way to much credit to caribarena , even if they deserve it.
Next the powerplant is not new, it is as simple as that because i belive what Chef see's with his own eyes, and if chef is realy wrong than chefs grandmothers on both sides are virgins , a little rust? a little oil? this thing looks more greasy than a Chinese restaurant kitchen in antigua. and trust a chef they are greasy....

Tenman, the act was repealed? Guess I miss that one. I don't think its censorship to know who the writers are who seem bent on undermining public confidence in a sitting government with speculations and sensational stories. If their publications are based on facts, then they should not be afraid to pen their names to the article. After all I don't think Mr.shaka wrote anything. This is done with most reputable online publication.

Did anyone notice the date on that part in the photo?????

5.5.02, definitely a 'new' power plant.

News paper act? Cool Ruler are you serious? As far as I recall this act was repealed and was later replaced by things like the newspaper reg. act (1983). The privy council ruling (1990) on a related act involving Tim Hector was:
Quote:

In a free and democratic society it is almost too obvious to need stating that those who hold office in government and who are responsible for public administration must always be open to criticism. Any attempt to stifle or fetter such criticism amounts to political censorship of the most insidious and objectionable kind. At the same time it is no less obvious that the very purpose of criticism levelled at those who have the conduct of public affairs by their political opponents is to undermine public confidence in their stewardship and to persuade the electorate that the opponents would make a better job of it than those presently holding office. In the light of these considerations their Lordships cannot help viewing a statutory provision which criminalises statements likely to undermine public confidence in the conduct of public affairs with the utmost suspicion.

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I can't beleve beef was on radio saying its better to buy outdated plants that drive up the cost of Electcity because he has an issue with 1 company produceing current... So its ok to pay 1.5m per Chinese mwh where the internation set price is under 1 m????
Soon he will have APUA badge its fuel from Venezula because W.i.o.c must not be the only fuel supplier! Its then goes on to Cable and Wireless..ect.. . . Looks like the craziess are coming out to spin !!!!!!!!

They may not have know the engines were not new in all honesty,but this just serves to show how Incompetent and arrogant they are. Embarking on such a major project without proper consultation or advice from anyone who knows about such things,only shows that the Pm thinks "this a fu he subben"His words not mine.In his usual vindictive self,he refuse to listen to anyone,but rushed to hurt the Hadeeds,there is no excuse for this,it is shameful,and shows incompetence in the highest order.No one elected David Shoul,so he need not answer to us,There are just too many blunders from this Govt,it is time for a new mandate,if the people are foolish enough to re-elect them,then so be it.for now they really need to do the right thing and call fresh elections.

Can anyone clarify - WHOM the actual Supplier/middle man was in this deal? My understanding was that the Chinese had no involvement in the procurement of the actual generators? It does not seem that the engine manufacturers were involved so there has to be the usual "contractual supply agreement" somewhere, --par for the course!!

It seems like our leaders have never heard that the truth shall set you free. Instead of being open, honest and up front with the people they prefer to lie, deceive, mislead etc. Do they honestly believe that such actions breed trust and confidence? When will the country move forward toward progress? Every project that has been touted as good for ANU by the gov't turns out to be one backward step after another. But let them tell it, and they will try their best to tell you you couldn't get better anywhere else.

For anyone to be Implying that somehow the PM, Clarvis or David is involved in some bobol or kickback is just bs. If there is any deception its on the the country that sold them to us under the guise of helping a friendly nation

Just like the newspaper act stipulate that the editor and publisher has to identify who they are so too these persons who publish articles for online sites should be made to identify who they are. Now having said that I haven't read the agreement as yet as am at work but it would seem to me this is about sensationalism and less about facts. We all know when you go cap in hand begging for assistance you are often times at a disadvantage and very happy if they say you don't have to start paying back right away.

Did i hear some breaking news yesterday that it was confirmed the plants are not new? I was willing to give the govt the benefit of the doubt on this one,please tell me this is not true.If its so,are we going to do like we are doing with the fencing scandal? Just talk and talk then stop talking.This is our scarce money which we dont have,some of us cant even pay our bills and its just one scandal after another,with no redress,and persons are still addressing these incompetent idiots as Honorable.Any more protest should be one for a new mandate,not just for Inquiry,it is painfully clear that the Govt cannot do anything right,everythin g they touch turn sour like stale milk.are we willing to sit back and allow them to ruin what little is left of our Island??

Notes From A Native Son Of The Rock. Skeywill advises: Quote:

Also Management fees are junk fees, somebody got fat.

Fred - A Marine Engineer(Ret) on 2012-01-04 19:53 states:Quote:

A engine that has been manufactured by a company whether marine, stationary,construction or even auto will be indentified with a number which can be referenced as to the exact time and day/year this engine came out of the assembly plant.So if you got a snow job it's the jokers who purchased it.

Tenman deducts:Quote:

Caribarena Martin did answer your question:
Quote:
he Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) did "everything in its judgment and competence” to ensure that the power plant engines now at the centre of a controversy were new. Clearly the answer is that the plant is not new and APUA is simply making it clear that it did the best it could

I sympathize with the Capacity of The Engineers at APUA. I ask two questions. Has the Plant been Technically Commissioned? Did APUA or GOAB contract with a Specialist Commissioning Agent to Work with the Chinese Contractor in the Commissioning of the Plant? Heaven Help the Nation of Antigua & Barbuda.

Mr. xxxe got a brand new car from a certain person the other day now he has tos sing for his supper. Mr. xxxe hammers all opposition and government people but the ambassador is never touched strange

I listened to Mr. Rose about two weeks ago, via ZDK's morning program with SLY J, where he suggested we got a good deal because we have the generators free for at least 5 years. I could not help remembering my grand father telling me, nothing good in life is free. Absent from Tanny's logic is the fact that we are paying some 3% interest (2% + 1.1 % for other loan related fees). He also ignores the fact that the the RMB has been appreciating against the USD (some 5% in 2010) and is expected to appreciate some 4.5% this year. Yes we do not have to make for 5 years, but that does not stop the interest and currency appreciation clock. For 2010 alone with a loan of 43 million usd, the total fees (interest (2%) + commitment fee (.5%) + management fee (.6%)+ foreign currency exposure (at least 5%)) amounted to 8% of principal. Yes folks, a $3.44 million USD charge (5 years this will mean 17.2 million usd) for 2010, how that's for so called free usage?

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I couldn't agree with you more.

This guy is singing for his supper... The APUA board has to come out with a statement trying to prove the Plant is NEW. Just watch how Farnworth and the other Choir SINGERS Dance to CLAVIS Tune..!!
If Fanswort had any common sense ,would he buy a New Toyota from Harney with rusted engine parts and componets?????? ? An average man would demand a 50% price reduction. I guess if he was using state funds he might!!!!!

I hope you are write now explain the agreement, please

Reading the agreement, what struck me is that the loan is in RMB and the contract is governed by Chinese law. This current government criticized the former government for doing the same thing it has now done. The country now has major foreign currency exposure. The Chinese currency is expected to appreciate at some 4% yearly (was 5% last year see news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2011-08/11/c_131043045.htm), which effectively makes the loan at least (7 - 8% yearly 3% interest + at least 4% currency increase in comparison to the USD).

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But you no easy man. You nah ge dem de benefit of the doubt? You like you BEX. I fraid this one. This one scares me. You can’t put them nice boys in 1735, Morris You know you are eligible to be appointed a special constable? When you catch them hold them by them shirt collar and the back of they trousers and walk them up market street to St Johns Police station. I have been underwriting loans since 1999. I have seen hundreds of loan agreements. I feel a little sad for the country. Some people live to nyam and they never get enough. What Antigua need is a uniter. Some body who can bring the country together. We all is going to have to put our shoulders to the wheel. I don’t know much about this subject, only what I read and I really don’t want to believe that there is any criminal intent to deceive the country unless some one did it for money and personal gain. I am more to incline that the Chinese got us and because of the level of competence we are going plunge into a economic crisis

Seems like there are always financial issues whenever the good Ambassador gets involved. Remember the fiasco with the roads around the stadium? Now this. Well he is eye deep in the airport terminal, so it is only a matter of time before the questions start up at the airport.

Dr BS once said, "One strike, and you're out". Guess that didn't go for the good Ambassador

"everything in its judgment and competence”

The manager answered the question very well with this statement, as far as I am aware APUA has very poor judgement and very little competence.

Maybe China deceived them, maybe! I'm now of a mind that at some level we have folks who like they say a try a ting. Maybe, they are as dumb as they act. Maybe! For me, it's not that they did something illegal, it's amazing to me of the dumb crap is coming from people who I thought had some brain. They are such armatures, that is what freaks me out. I'm real disappointed. We must revamp the education system if that’s what we are producing..

The engines are fake cardboard cut outs sprayed with WD40 to fool the public. Someone at Caribarena said the engines are used. Really? your kidding me right? Some know nothing reported writes a story with no facts and the legions of doom jump in and yell foul. Somebody must be getting kick backs because it says so here on Caribarena and the reporter wrote it? I guess everyone at APUA is corrupt and in Shoul's pocket too?
Proof! Show me the Proof! Those engines were built especially for Antigua. They were brand new. You saw rust? everything in Antigua has Rust including your brains. Show me something in Antigua without rust. Even plastic rusts in Antigua. Engines without oil? Open the hood of your car, you put the oil inthe engine so how did it get out onto the block? DUH! This is like a Dilbert comic. The pointy headed boss said the engines are used so everyone must do as he says.

Is the APUA general manager saying that APUA engineers and technicians are not competent enough to determine whether or not the engines are new? In my opinion 'his eyes pass' those engineers, in other words he is showing gross disrespect and disregard for his engineers. But that is what happen**le boys are given big men's jobs. I can only hope that the engineers and technicians in question will rise to the occasion, overcome the political shackles and fear and clear the air. If in fact, the engines are used, then am sorry, they should all resign from top to bottom. Speak up now, your loyalty must be to the people of Antigua and Barbuda.

Please note the following:

1) The Company that the engines were purchased from may have local persons involved. That would explain why they were given the authorization by this Government to do the draw-down of the monies. In other words would you let the contractor building your house do the draw-downs? For this alone Shortshirt and the other Board members should answer.

2.) Ambassador Shoul should go to Parliament and answer to questions from the Parliamentarian s. I would like to see him answer to Maulwyn Joseph, Robin Yearwood and Asot Michael. after all, he was the person who arranged the whole deal and pontificated about it on the opening. Wonder what Tanney (his puppet) and LMR (left in the "dark") will say about this now?

3.) We need an inquiry into this wholesale disaster and possible misuse of funds.

4.) Can Baldwin bring his "pet" Sir David to answer questions?

5.) This needs to be clarified before people are asked to pay electric bills.

We await an answer - even if it's from one of Baldwin's advisors - like Alister!

Sincerely,

Bullbee.

Sooooo what does Amb. Shoul have to say about this? I would want to believe that during and after the negotiation process, he would have physically inspected or seen at least, these engines with competent APUA authorities. This is going to be another example of "i was not aware" by all persons involved, especially from the PM.

.....probably hiding in some garden somewhere....lo l...you'll need more than magic potions to spin this one...Ray Charles although dead, can still see this one...murdahhhh hh!!! Ruler looks as if you need to start helping the PM and the others to dig their ditch!!!

Caribarena Martin did answer your question:
Quote:

he Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) did "everything in its judgment and competence” to ensure that the power plant engines now at the centre of a controversy were new.

Clearly the answer is that the plant is not new and APUA is simply making it clear that it did the best it could

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After reading this article i am left to conclude the the manager is saying I KNOW IT IS USED BUT WE DID OUR BEST.I that because the decisions were made by the PRIME MINISTER , DAVID SHOUL AND CLAVIS JOSEPH and not by APUA.If so please mr Martin say so.

Judging by the pictures. Mr Martin is confirming that APUA is seriously lacking in competence and judgement further enforced by the fact that they are unable to answer any questions pertaining to the state of the engines. How much longer will it take for these incompetent buffoons to come up with a story that they think they can get away with. Time for a change.

they are not new,only if you blind tis the truth

“APUA have done everything in respect to its judgment and competence to ensure the engines were new engines,” Martin said.
I'll go ahead and say it for you Mr. Martin, "They were not new engines; they were used/refurbishe d." There, I said it!

Now, it is very disheartening that the gov't would go to such great lengths to deceive the citizens into believing that they received value for their hard earned tax dollars. Who in their right mind would negotiate and put themselves in a lose-lose position? Only in ANU, only in ANU.

the alp must be able to go some where , they cant go to the abs tv or radio ,they cant go to the crusader radio ,they cant go to observer radio,so god bless cariarena.and by the way being a journalist is to be fair and keep the government metal to the wheel on the issue of transparency . after caribarena went to get the pictures ,the observer group went to do the same but could not ,so thanks to caribarena for being the leader in these matters.

Here's are two more questions that Caribarena should get answers for.

(1) Since the start up of these "new" generators how many times have they been done down? I understand that at the present moment they are down.

(2) Is it true that when there is an island-wide blackout these "new" engines cannot bring the island back up? They have to use APC generators to bring the island back up and then the "new" generators will take over???

a lady called in yesterday on the derricks' show while they were on this topic about the engines ,derrick was telling mr maginly about the pictures on caribarena ,this is what she said (what u say the name of the website name was again mr derrick ..he said caribarena ....she said u guys got to be carefull because this is where the alp put their propaganda ,,,,saying this to say u have some people that are so caught up in colour politics that they cant see the truth ,,,and that is just sick .

Someone actually signed these documents. This is not an agreement; an agreement should have mutual benefits for both parties. In this case there is no benefit for Antigua. Also Management fees are junk fees, somebody got fat. We should investigate all government loans including local loans because when a loan is processed is can contain tons of junk fees. The settlement document will break down the fees and the distribution of those fees. All those unfinished multi-million projects are suspect to fraud. According to the agreement even if it is used the only recourse is to fight it in China. This agreement needed to go back to the table so Antigua could have recourse and performance guarantees. Agreements are not standard, they are tailored. Why would we do this to our people? The only benefit to Antigua is the fact that we received a plant that is assumed new.

If all that is being said about these so called new engines now appearing to be used. Clearly suggests that the UPP administration and David Shoul (some kind of in-law to John Maginley) has deceived the Antiguan Public.

My question is, what is the ALP doing and this situation which (if true) can score major political points for them.

Why are they (the ALP) not picketing the Power Plant, APUA, David Shoul and even the PMs office, demanding answers to these many questions.

A&B is likely the only OECS country where it appears that both the ruling party and the opposition are terribly in-effective... .What a shame!