• Latest
PM Thomas pulls out of GBN political leaders debate

Former PM says in absence of no other evidence he will believe Al Jazeera report

1 year ago
More Teachers to be Regularised

Public schools to reopen without enforcing Covid-19 physical distancing protocol

9 hours ago
Developing Resilient Marine Economies: UK supports Small Island Developing States in the Commonwealth Caribbean

UK assists response to St Vincent volcano eruption

10 hours ago
Claims of coronavirus at SGU designed to create fear and panic

Covid-19 update: Grenada Dashboard 13 April

11 hours ago
Mangrove deforestation undermines future fisheries stock

Mangrove deforestation undermines future fisheries stock

11 hours ago
Climate Resilient Agriculture Project supports upgrades for propagation stations

Climate Resilient Agriculture Project supports upgrades for propagation stations

14 hours ago
Grenada and Cuba celebrate 42 years of official diplomatic relations

Grenada and Cuba celebrate 42 years of official diplomatic relations

14 hours ago
Save our Public Library and National Archives now!

Grenada’s National Archive needs urgent attention

16 hours ago
Reopening of schools: Phased approach to accommodate CXC exams

Post-Cabinet Briefing: 13 Apr 2021

19 hours ago
Integrity Commission Warns Police Officers

Justin Campbell among trio appointed to serve on Integrity Commission

19 hours ago
ECCB Hosts 5th Growth and Resilience Dialogue from 14–15 April

ECCB Hosts 5th Growth and Resilience Dialogue from 14–15 April

1 day ago
Claims of coronavirus at SGU designed to create fear and panic

Covid-19 update: Grenada Dashboard 12 April

1 day ago
Karen Reid-Ballantyne appointed Solicitor General in Grenada

Karen Reid-Ballantyne appointed Solicitor General in Grenada

2 days ago
NOW Grenada

Main Header Ad 468x60

booked.net
  • Front Page
  • Categories
    • General News
      • All
      • Agriculture & Fisheries
      • Arts & Culture
      • Business
      • Education
      • Environment
      • Health
      • History
      • Lifestyle
      • Law
      • Politics
      • Technology
      • Travel & Tourism
      • Weather
      • Youth
    • Sports
      • All
      • Athletics
      • Cricket
      • Football
      • Watersports
    • Community
      • All
      • Tribute
    • Crime
    • Features
      • All
      • Today in History
    • Opinion/Commentary
    • Press Releases
      • All
      • Advertisements
      • Notices
  • Video
  • Notices & Vacancies
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Front Page
  • Categories
    • General News
      • All
      • Agriculture & Fisheries
      • Arts & Culture
      • Business
      • Education
      • Environment
      • Health
      • History
      • Lifestyle
      • Law
      • Politics
      • Technology
      • Travel & Tourism
      • Weather
      • Youth
    • Sports
      • All
      • Athletics
      • Cricket
      • Football
      • Watersports
    • Community
      • All
      • Tribute
    • Crime
    • Features
      • All
      • Today in History
    • Opinion/Commentary
    • Press Releases
      • All
      • Advertisements
      • Notices
  • Video
  • Notices & Vacancies
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
NOW Grenada
No Result
View All Result

Article Header

Former PM says in absence of no other evidence he will believe Al Jazeera report

This story was posted 1 year ago
2 December 2019
in General News, Politics
3 min. read
Tillman Thomas
Share

by Linda Straker

  • Tillman Thomas will believe the Diplomats for Sale report until government refutes the allegation
  • Questions repeal of mandatory publication of identities of all CBI programme citizens

Former Prime Minister, Tillman Thomas, said that until the ruling New National Party (NNP) Government provides information that will refute the allegation and information in the one-hour undercover investigation done by Al Jazeera Media Network called “Diplomats for Sale,” he will believe everything that was said in the report.

The report from the Qatari state-funded broadcaster in Doha claims that Grenada is among regional territories engaging the practice of selling diplomat passports to investors who contribute money to political parties’ campaigns. Most countries in the region do not have campaign financing legislation.

“Until the government comes to the contrary, I will accept it,” Thomas said during a news conference called by the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), which he led for some years before retiring from politics after serving as prime minister from 2008 to 2013.

“Let the government come out and refute it,” he said at the first news conference held by the party since a new national executive council was elected on 3 November 2019. Accompanying Thomas was Claudette Joseph who is serving as the party’s public relations officer, who admitted that some of the information in the report are allegations, while some are factual.

Thomas used the opportunity to express concern about the Citizenship By Investment (CBI) Programme, called for the repeal of certain changes to the law which was originally approved in parliament in 2013 but has undergone amendments, some of which is due to market changes and demands.

Questioning government’s move to repeal the section which made it mandatory to publish the names and address of all who received citizenship through the CBI programme, Thomas said that members of both houses who approved the amendment to the legislation were aiding and abetting in organised crime.

“The Parliament of Grenada is aiding and abetting in organised theft. That amendment is very revealing; why will parliament aid and abet the concealing of their identities?” he asked. He claims that such organised theft can lead to corruption. “Have we heard any issue being raised by parliamentarians, who are they representing? They are not representing the people of Grenada anymore in that particular issue,” said Thomas who believes that government must be held collectively responsible for the negatives surrounding the sale of both diplomat and regular passports.

“When people elect you to represent them in the parliament of the country, you become a trustee and here you have these trustees, these 15 trustees betraying the trust of the Grenadian people, and that is a danger itself,” Thomas said.

Joseph said that her party is not objecting to the CBI programme but is objecting to the process used for an applicant to gain citizenship. She disclosed that the NDC was in the process of implementing a similar programme before it was voted out of office in February 2013. That programme was to be called the Grenada Individual Investor Programme.

“In fact, when we left office in 2013 we were in the process of engaging the same company that helps the Canadian Government with their programme. Canada has one of the best and most respected programmes in the world. No country can run a proper CBI programme if the officials around it are corrupt,” she said. Joseph contested the Town of St George constituency for the 2018 General Election and failed to win the seat.

“NDC, therefore, demands that there must be substantial changes to the CBI law now. These changes must include, making it a criminal offence punishable by long jail time to sell diplomatic passports; making it mandatory for the names, addresses, and countries of origins of all persons applying for and obtaining CBI citizenship to be published,” she said.

Among other things, the NDC also wants the government to make it illegal for a government official to invest in a CBI approved project; to stop persons who acquired CBI status from being able to vote in an election; to enforce stringent due diligence for each applicant and for the legislation to mandate that some of the powers of the minister are removed and placed into the hands of an independent qualified body.

NOW Grenada is not responsible for the opinions, statements or media content presented by contributors. In case of abuse, click here to report.

Tags: al jazeeracitizenship by investmentclaudette josephlinda strakerpassporttillman thomas
Next Post

Grenadian awarded Barbados’ highest Independence Honour

Comments 3

  1. SaveGrenada says:
    1 year ago

    We need to take this report seriously. Grenadians need to take the wool from their eyes and protect their country. This current PM is single handedly driving Grenada to corruption and poverty by doing what he is doing.

    Reply
  2. adm says:
    1 year ago

    Indeed, the selling of passports needs to be a criminal offence whereby those caught doing so should serve a considerable period in prison. I’ve also heard the saying that those investors, or passport holders wish to protect their privacy, hence name and country/nationality are withheld. Why would you not want it know you have a Grenadian passport or an investor.. well, unless you are up to no good. Its about time that our so called, or want to be known as “squeaky clean”!! Government changes pas legislation to change that ruling.

    Reply
  3. Frank Nelson says:
    1 year ago

    surprise, surprise the nnp have gangsters in their midst.

    Reply

Comment on story Cancel reply

Please enter your valid email address.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Home Sidebar NP 300x250

© NOW Grenada. All Rights Reserved. Published by Aqua Design Inc. | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

No Result
View All Result
  • Front Page
  • Categories
    • General News
      • All
      • Agriculture & Fisheries
      • Arts & Culture
      • Business
      • Education
      • Environment
      • Health
      • History
      • Lifestyle
      • Law
      • Politics
      • Technology
      • Travel & Tourism
      • Weather
      • Youth
    • Sports
      • All
      • Athletics
      • Cricket
      • Football
      • Watersports
    • Community
      • All
      • Tribute
    • Crime
    • Features
      • All
      • Today in History
    • Opinion/Commentary
    • Press Releases
      • All
      • Advertisements
      • Notices
  • Video
  • Notices & Vacancies
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us

Copyright NOW Grenada

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. Visit our Privacy Policy | Terms of Use.

NOW Grenada
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. Visit our Privacy Policy | Terms of Use.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.