A delegation from Antigua and Barbuda is being assembled to press the Kamla Persad-Bissessar administration in Trinidad and Tobago to honour a US$100 million commitment made to the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) for policyholders affected by the collapse of CLICO and BAICO over a decade ago.
Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant confirmed the team, which will include Prime Minister Gaston Browne and officials from the Ministries of Finance and Foreign Affairs, is still in formation.
The effort comes as Browne renews calls for Trinidad and Tobago to fulfil the agreement made during Persad-Bissessar’s previous term. Antigua and Barbuda has already contributed US$40 million of the total, but the remaining US$60 million was not paid under Dr. Keith Rowley’s government.
Speaking recently at the CARICOM Heads of Government meeting, Browne said he remains hopeful the matter will be resolved, despite Trinidad and Tobago’s ongoing fiscal challenges. He emphasized that proposals would be put forward in a spirit of cooperation, not confrontation, to secure long-overdue compensation for affected OECS citizens.