Isle of Man: Pirates Of The Caribbean - Expropriation In Antigua - Information Management Solutions

Information Management Solutions Isle of Man: Pirates Of The Caribbean - Expropriation In Antigua The expropriation and nationalisation of the Half Moon Bay Resort and other interests of American, Canadian and ... via Mondaq.Com

[Expatantigua]

Many thanks for this article. Thoroughly enjoyed the 'diplomatic' language.
However, it failed to go behind the reasons why the Antiguan Government 'took over' this hotel in the first place.
The old Bird Goverment effectively seized this hotel and land because it had remained derelict for many years (hurricane damage)and had made over a hundered locals redundent.
It is a hotel (derelict and abandoned)located on one of the best beaches in the world. The owners were not inclined to rebuild it and it was becoming an eyesore and detracting from the ambiance of this stunning natural bay.
Despite many attempts to get the owners to rebuild, all reasonable efforts failed.
The Bird Goverment (with opposition support) then attempted to force the issue way back in 2001.
Since then it has been a 'feast' for the legal profession and the money so far expended on litigation could have paid for the renovation/rebuilding.
What a shame!
I sincerely hope that the hotel will be rebuilt, local staff re-employed and the World's tourists able to savour this visually stunning area sipping local rum in a comfortable hotel patio.

[Ian Moncrief-Scott]

May I suggest that you look at other articles in the Mondaq.com series, which give more background.

The Government of Antigua has prevented the owners of forty years from redeveloping the property after Hurricane Luis in order to hand it to another private party using eminent domain.

It and only it is fully responsible for ensuring that the hotel remains in its present condition.

Government ministers will collect huge finder fees when the property is sold.

The owners have never been paid compensation nor are responsible for severance pay, which the management company must pay. The management company was recommended to the owners by the Government and has since disappeared.

[Ian Moncrief-Scott]

I should add that before the last elections Baldwin Spencer promised me personally that he would remove the hand of Government from the property. He has repeated that offer to other including the US Ambassador & State Department. Justin Simon, Attorney General, was tasked with dealing with the necessary documentation. He added his own personal conditions, which included a full indemnity that no sane person would accept.

I suggest that you look at the latest edition of Robert Coram's Caribbean Time Bomb just published and ask the author why his new foreward is missing from this new edition.

[eco 365]

what a bunch of BS. the half moon bay issue is one that should get loads of media attention, but more to do with how underfunded, mismanaged, unethical, foreign business can screw locals and their governments. lady, you had your chance over and over and over and over. You have done nothing except play political, legal, and media based games. meanwhile, prime land given for tourism use has sat in a mess and the people employeed there years ago have waited to be paid. The country and its people have suffered from your negligence, ineptitude and greed. we the people of antigua should have paid you off years ago. it would have been better treatment than what you dished out to your former employees.

[Ian Moncrief-Scott]

It is you who is talking BS - try to get you facts right before you write nonsense!

eco 365 wrote:

what a bunch of BS. the half moon bay issue is one that should get loads of media attention, but more to do with how underfunded, mismanaged, unethical, foreign business can screw locals and their governments. lady, you had your chance over and over and over and over. You have done nothing except play political, legal, and media based games. meanwhile, prime land given for tourism use has sat in a mess and the people employeed there years ago have waited to be paid. The country and its people have suffered from your negligence, ineptitude and greed. we the people of antigua should have paid you off years ago. it would have been better treatment than what you dished out to your former employees.