HURST REPORTS ON CABINET OF Wednesday 13 November 2024
Cabinet began its weekly meeting with a prayer, as is customary, by a Minister of Religion.
1. i. The Cabinet held a discussion on the repair of Clinics throughout the country and received an update from the Minister of Health on the extent to which several clinics have been repaired and are ready to receive patients. The extent of repairs of the clinic in Liberta was examined primarily in response to a report circulating on social media of the use of an alternate site. A request had been received by the operators of the St. Paul’s Empowerment Centre from a nurse who ostensibly had the authority so to do. At no cost, the use of the Centre was authorized by the Parliamentary Representative and it was utilized for vaccinating children. The Cabinet regrets that a charitable act is being characterized by others, who deem that they have the community in mind, as a good reason for political mischief.
ii. The Representative of the Constituency of St. Mary’s North, the Honourable Minister Molwyn Joseph, will hold a Press Conference on Friday 15 November 2024, to address the mischief-making that has been given legs by political opponents.
iii. The Cobbs Cross Clinic is more than 95% complete and will likely become operational in a matter of weeks. The contractor has indicated that a shortage of labour on his team is responsible for the delay of the completion. The Bolans Clinic is completed and operational. A shortage of repair funds is one element that has played a role in the readiness of several clinics that are under repair. Yet, when the neighbourhood center was utilized, the number of inoculations rose significantly over the use of the clinic in Liberta. The Minister of Health informed the Cabinet that several clinics are offering dental services for the very first time to include: the Grays Farm clinic, The Villa Polyclinic, and the Glanvilles Polyclinic.
2. i. The Cabinet held discussions with the Manager of the Antigua Port Authority about the relations between his organization and the National Parks Authority. The Cabinet learned that the legislation governing the Port Authority ascribes certain powers over visiting vessels that are now being exercised by the National Parks Authority. The Cabinet was made to understand that the informality that now exists requires consultation among the parties and, possibly, parliamentary intervention to cure the anomalies; therefore, amendments may have to be made to the existing legislation that are likely to empower the National Parks Authority.
ii. The National Parks Authority raises funds that go towards the upkeep and high level of maintenance required of the ancient buildings within the Nelson’s Dockyard, Shirley Heights, the Interpretation Centre and surrounding areas. Resources come from ticket entry sales, rentals and leases and are re-invested in the ancient sites.
3. The Cabinet was informed of an accident which occurred on Wednesday morning when a very heavy and lengthy piece of cargo fell from a moving truck on whose flatbed the cargo was strapped. No-one was injured but the Cabinet is aware that those trucks travel the streets of St. John’s on their way to places all over the island. The Cabinet has asked the Attorney General to consult with the Transport Board and the Royal Police Force (Traffic Department) to set time limits for use of the roadways by trucks pulling heavy loads, and to enforce the speed-limit laws that govern all vehicles, including trucks. The disregard for speed limits on the nation’s highways frightens many lawful drivers, the Cabinet was told.
4. The Cabinet has agreed that the annual Christmas Barrel Initiative will commence from the 1st December 2024 to 15th January 2025. The consignees of all barrels entering Antigua and Barbuda
will pay the small sum of $30.00 and the barrels are restricted to food, clothing, and toiletries. The Cabinet will also provide a reduction in ABST from 17% to 7%, a 10% reduction in the tax, for a Christmas weekend. That period will be announced shortly.
5. i. The Cabinet, recognizing the importance of women throughout the nation, has agreed to the waiver of fees for the cost of colposcopy examinations at the SLBMC to detect cancer of the cervix, vulva and the uterus.
ii. The Minister of Health informed the Cabinet that the Boys Training School is likely to become operational in 30 days. The Junior Minister of Health has been given the responsibility to manage this outcome. He has reported that a quarter of a million dollars’ worth of equipment, materials, and supplies are required to achieve the new deadline set.
6. The Minister of Education reported that a study is to be undertaken at two public schools, a large and a small school, to determine the feasibility for longer hours in the school day. The trial will be aimed at those students who are not engaged in after-school programmes; and, the ‘pilot phase’ will involve two or three days per week, and then expanded to 5 days per week depending on the outcomes.
7. i. The Cabinet was informed that Mr. Paul Quinn who suffered a stroke and remains in a coma, was treated by a brain surgeon who flew into Antigua from Trinidad. The surgery took place on Wednesday and the Cabinet has asked the nation to pray for his full recovery.
ii. The Cabinet gave its full support to a request from the Minister of Health to employ autistic adults at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre; they are to be trained in the Hospital. Autism is to be seen as a special condition and the adults should not be left behind. This policy is in keeping with demonstrating that the Gaston Brown-led administration is a caring government.
iii. The Ministry of Health has identified 8 employees who work within the Social Protection Division for a special honorarium. They have gone beyond the call of duty. The Cabinet views the Social Transformation Ministry as one of the most important elements in the matrix of services provided by government, since it addresses the needs of the nation’s most vulnerable families and individuals.
7.ii. The Cabinet applauded the National Swimming Team that won gold in the several competitive events held recently among Caribbean countries. The team has been recording significant victories recently, and wins the applause of the entire nation, the Cabinet concluded.
8. The Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda will convene on Monday 18th November 2024. Two short bills are on the Public Business agenda. Nevertheless, a minute of silence will be observed for the death of Member of Parliament, the Hon. Asot Michael. A farewell to Sir Gerald Watt, as Speaker of The House will take place. The election of a new Speaker will likely be the last item on the parliamentary agenda. The Upper House will meet the following day when Senator Michael Joseph will make his maiden statement, and Senator Govia will assume the post of Leader of Government Business in the Senate.
