DNA Leader calls on Prime Minister to repeal CIP

Leader of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA), Joanne Massiah has called on the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda and leader of the Antigua Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP), Gaston Browne to repeal the Citizenship by Investment Act and stop the “selling” of Antigua and Barbuda passports.
Massiah, who spoke exclusively with OBSERVER media, also stated that the country’s reputation stands the risk of being damaged since the validity of an Antigua and Barbuda passport could be viewed with suspicion when it is presented abroad.
Massiah made the comments in relation to an ongoing matter in which police in St. Vincent and the Grenadines nabbed a
man in connection with bio pages of Antigua and Barbuda passport sometime last week.
Assistant Superintendent of PoliceRay John of the Royal Antigua and Barbuda Police Force, who headed the Rapid Response Unit was suspended on Friday in connection with that issue.
The former United Progressive Party (UPP) MP also stated that the selling of the country’s passports has opened the door for dishonest people, even among those in high level government occupations, to engage in fraudulent acts.
Investigations are now underway into the matter, as a number of Vincentian officers arrived in Antigua late last week.