Office of the NAO Debunks Claims of Late Notification to CSME Consultation

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Today (Monday, March 31, 2025) on the Voice of the People program hosted by Franz DeFreitas, a WhatsApp message was read to the listening audience, which stated that the Ministry of Trade contacted the Opposition Leader, Hon. Jamale Pringle, with a request for a meeting the night before the actual engagement with the CARICOM Delegation.

The Office of the National Authorising Officer (ONAO), within the Ministry of Trade, wishes to state categorically that at the request of the visiting CARICOM Delegation, contact was made via telephone and WhatsApp messaging with the Leader of the Opposition to facilitate consultations with the Opposition during their mission. This initial contact was made on January 30, 2025, prior to the arrival of the delegation in Antigua on February 4, 2025.

The CSME Focal Point, Ms. Barbara Williams, was directed by the Opposition Leader, who indicated he was overseas, to make contact with the Deputy Leader of the United Progressive Party, Hon. Sherfield Bowen, to make arrangements for a meeting with the Opposition.

In the course of these arrangements, the Office of the NAO facilitated multiple time and date change requests from the Deputy Leader to accommodate the convening of the meeting.

It therefore stands to reason that the ONAO did not notify the Opposition Leader of the said meeting the night before the scheduled engagement.

After reaching an agreement with the Deputy Leader, the meeting took place on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at 9 a.m. at the Charlesworth Samuel Building, Independence Drive.

The ONAO is, however, grateful for the convening of the meeting, which allowed the exchange of information by the CARICOM Delegation with those in attendance.

The objectives of the consultation in the country were to engage with stakeholders from February 5 – 7, 2025, on matters related to the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).

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