PARLIAMENT APPROVES “URGENT” AMENDMENT TO PORT AUTHORITY ACT DESPITE OPPOSITION WALKOUT

Parliament’s Lower House has passed an amendment to the Port Authority Act to make it clear that the government has legal authority to sell the sanctioned Alfa Nero superyacht.
The government says the Port Authority Amendment Bill 2023 was crucial, since the vessel could pose a major maritime risk in Antiguan waters.
Prime Minister Hon. Gaston Browne says a warning from the yacht’s crew that they could abandon the vessel, necessitated urgent action from the Government.
There was no contribution to the debate from opposition members, who walked out of the sitting as Prime Minister Browne piloted the bill.
Meanwhile, Government law-makers say they followed the appropriate Parliamentary procedures in debating the legislation.
Garfield Burford reports.