Buyers lining up to purchase Alfa Nero

Prime Minister Gaston Browne, who is the minister responsible for the Antigua
Port Authority, which under law seized the Alfa Nero last Tuesday, has reported to
parliament that there are several buyers with interest to purchase the vessel.
PM Browne made the point during the parliamentary debate on Monday, where
questions were poised regarding the vessel by Leader of the Opposition, Jamale
Pringle and the Barbuda Representative, Trevor Walker.
In responding to a question regarding the management and upkeep of the vessel,
the prime minister said the government has now assumed responsibility for the
weekly upkeep of the vessel including the payment of salaries of the crew, marina
docking fees and fuel. However, he noted that as soon as the vessel is sold all the
liabilities will be settled and the remaining funds paid into the treasury.
On the question of cost, PM Browne said the offers so far, range from US$48
million to US$60 million.
“We have a number of buyers already, and I am sure that within due course the
boat will be sold, and those outstanding bills will be settled,” he outlined.
In response to a question about how the selection was done for the management
contract of the vessel, PM Browne explained that the Alfa Nero has been moored
at the Antigua Yacht Club marina for more than a year and with no plans to move
the vessel, it was natural to work out an arrangement with the company to assist
with its management.
On the issue of the lifting of sanctions on the vessel, the country’s leader explained
that this was a process involving the US government and that those discussions
have already begun. “As I indicated earlier, the sanctions will be lifted in due
course and we are pretty sure that it will be done in short order and as a
consequence, we will be able to retire all the liabilities and pay the remainder into
the Consolidated Funds. There will be no net loss to the government and people of
Antigua and Barbuda,” he stated.
He further explained that getting the vessel de-listed as a sanctioned vessel is a
process that has to be followed, but one that the government has already initiated.