HURST REPORTS ON CABINET of Wednesday 30 October 2024
The Cabinet meeting commenced with a prayer, as is the custom of the Gaston Browne administration.
1. The Cabinet held a discussion on the re-opening of the Cancer Center. The delay in readying the Center for use is occasioned by the continued presence of the old equipment that was once used for radiation treatment and chemotherapy. The old owners of the building are making a demand for the purchase of the equipment at a price that exceeds their reasonable value. The Cabinet was informed that the equipment must first be de-commissioned under the supervision of the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), and that a reasonable time is to be given to the owners to remove the same. The Cabinet was also advised that if the time given for removal is exceeded, by the owners, then a professional firm will be asked to discard the worthless equipment. Modern equipment will then be installed, and the service previously offered by the Cancer Center can then be restored. This process ought to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2025.
2. The Cabinet has learned that the consultant doctors who are contracted to the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre (SLBMC) to provide service to patients, spend too few hours at the hospital daily. A discussion is to begin to ensure that the doctors provide as many hours at the hospital that their contracts dictate. The object is to ensure that more doctors are present over more hours at the hospital, in order to improve services to the public. Every effort is being made to continuously improve the services which the SLBMC offers, and doctors are absolutely essential to maximizing these efforts
3. The Cabinet invited the heads of the Customs and Excise Department, the Immigration Department, an official from the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Finance, and the principal of a private firm to address the implementation of Electronic E/D cards at the nation’s airports. The Chief Immigration Officer and her team reminded the Cabinet that paper E/D cards are ancient, outdated, inefficient, and pose a serious storage challenge. The need for the E/D card is absolutely evident when 350,000 visitors enter through the portals of the airport annually, each submitting a paper E-D card; moving to the electronic card that is tailor-made to fit Antigua and Barbuda’s needs, is unquestionably essential. The principal of the private firm which accompanied the Government officials is one of several that have made a pitch to transform the system from paper to electronic. Using several screens, the private firm’s principal showed the ease with which the electronic form can be completed and submitted by the passenger, days in advance of his/her arrival. However, there would also be a kiosk at the arrival terminals for those who might need help with the new technology. Handheld devices can also be utilized to complete and submit the form where WI-FI is available. The electronic Customs Declaration captures all the information that now appears at the back of the E-D paper form. Its new format will reduce processing time. The Cabinet was persuaded that the approach to be taken will lead to great reliability, eliminate the need for container storage of hundreds of thousands of paper cards, and will enable those marketing Antigua and Barbuda to reach target audiences emanating from various geographical spaces. The cost of making this transition involves a one-time fee and an annual charge. The Cabinet will return to the subject in a week or two since December 2024 is the intended timeframe.
4. The Cabinet invited the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment and the Director of the Department of Environment, to appear before the Cabinet to answer questions related to the Sustainable Islands Resource Fund (SIRF). The Fund recently purchased hundreds of air conditioners at a reduced cost for sale to low-income households. The Director explained that those who have been identified as worthy of one of the AC units, will be given an invoice which the recipient must take to the bank, make a payment made into the SIRF board account, then return to the Department with a receipt of proof of payment. The SIRF Fund will provide significant resources to Antigua and Barbuda in order for the government to repair or replace identified government-owned buildings. The St. John’s Fire Station, for example, is likely to be replaced by a sturdier building that will serve the interest of the Fire Brigade much better than the current structure. Other government buildings are to be examined and repairs made from the resources contributed by the SIRF fund. Top priority is to be given to clinics, schools, and social service institutions.
5. The Chairman of the Festivals Committee was invited to Cabinet to share plans which the Committee is developing for the One Nation Concert, in January 2025. Various artistes from the Caribbean, Antigua & Barbuda, are to be invited but must be contracted now, way in advance of the date of the concert. Bookings of airline flights and hotels must be arranged months in advance. A cost is estimated but not yet confirmed since negotiations with the artistes must also take place.
6.  The Minister of Foreign Affairs reported on his trip to Morocco where he met with his ministerial counterpart and many officials from the Government of Morocco. Several citizens of Antigua and Barbuda are currently studying in the Arabic-speaking country to become medical doctors; and, Morocco has provided fertilizers and other technical assistance since 2005. The Minister sought to increase the technical support that Morocco provides to Antigua and Barbuda.
7. The Minister of Works provided an update on the construction being carried out at the site of the new cemetery on Factory Road, pointing out that use of the cemetery may commence before 2025. The Cabinet was also informed by the Minister of Health that a Cemetery Attendant may have to be appointed and amendments made to the Cemetery Act, the Burial Grounds Act, and the Public Health Act part 3. Tombs will not be allowed and headstones will be placed on each grave at the level of the field to enable easy cutting of the grass.
8. The Cabinet wished everyone, citizen and resident alike, to have an enjoyable 43rd Anniversary of Independence.
