HURST REPORTS ON CABINET of Wednesday 7 May 2025
The Cabinet meeting commenced with a prayer by priests of the Catholic faith. They prayed for wisdom in decision-making by the Cabinet and for the continued blessings upon the people and government of Antigua and Barbuda.
1. The Cabinet reviewed the many functions which marked the 74th Anniversary of Labour Day, this past weekend. The members expressed condolences to the family of the mother who lost her life when she reportedly fell from a moving truck. Several Ministers have spoken with relatives of the young woman and have expressed sadness over the loss of their loved-one. Another young lady had her leg badly damaged by a music truck during the afternoon celebration, when she was reportedly pushed. The Cabinet expressed its hope for a speedy recovery. The picnic event at the beach was very well attended, and the concert which followed was enjoyed by all. The other weekend events were all crowded with those who embraced the significance of the holiday.
2. The Cabinet expressed its disappointment over the Antigua Sailing Week events. Although the franchise is held by the ABHTA and that a contract with a well-known promoter permits all major decisions to be made by that promoter, the Cabinet sought answers from the Chairman of the National Parks Authority (NPA), Senator Philip Shoul, and the Executive Director of the NPA, Ms. Annemarie Martin. The duo explained that in 2007/2008, the then Minister of Tourism, Hon. John Maginley, privatized Sailing Week by selling the franchise to the Hotel and Tourism Association. A licence was then given to a private individual to determine the events which would characterize Sailing Week. In those days, as many as 142 boats would participate; the number today has fallen to less than 50 boats. The Chairman sought and received policy guidelines that will result in Sailing Week continuing at the end of April each year, and that the licence to the private individual—which has expired—will not be renewed. Nevertheless, a Committee made up of all stakeholders will be asked to plan and execute Sailing Week 2026 with Government support pledged.
3. Since teachers in the public schools downed tools because of the non-payment of certain outstanding allowances—to a small number of the educators—the Cabinet held a discussion with the Accountant General, by telephone; and, with the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, in person. It appears that arrears date back to the Covid-19 pandemic when many payments were put on hold. Although all vouchers were submitted to the Treasury in November 2024, the Free Balance system utilized by the Treasury would pose a challenge, rejecting several vouchers; it required new vouchers to be re-issued. The Treasury reported that all vouchers have now been processed and cheques submitted on Tuesday and today, Wednesday, to meet all payments due. The Permanent Secretary acknowledged that additional checks were received today but their names required double-checking which was not complete when she left for the Cabinet meeting. The Ministry has informed the various Principals of each of the schools that checks are now available for the teachers. The Cabinet expressed the view that return of the teachers to teaching their charges would re-commence immediately. The Cabinet repeated its exhortation to both teachers and their Union to take into account that the students bear no responsibility for the disagreement that exists, and to remind that the education of the future generation is always to be treated as a highly valued objective.
4. The Cabinet expressed its dissatisfaction with the quality of engineering that leads to rapid deterioration of that 500-foot length of Friars Hill Road, immediately west of Woods Shopping Center. Hundreds of drivers traverse the short length of highway daily, and the potholes that have re-appeared as a result of the recent rains serve as an irritant and danger to their vehicles. The accumulation of runoff from the paved parking lot and the all-glass building immediately east of the strip of roadway, results in the erosion of the asphalt-filled-in potholes, attesting to poor execution and engineering. The Cabinet sought the presence of the Director of Public Works, who is himself a trained engineer, to determine why this matter has not yet been rectified after numerous directives were given by the Minister of Works to remedy. The Director explained that three sources of water have plagued the roadway since its construction. Nevertheless, the Director’s answers were challenged by several Ministers who insisted that the situation could be solved by using a very strong concrete mix, and by diverting the runoff towards the pond or the nearby waterway by inserting piped drains below the surface to channel the accumulating water away from the surface of the low-lying road. The Cabinet charged the Director with fixing the roadway immediately and to present a long-term plan for Cabinet’s review. He is expected to return to Cabinet next Wednesday, May 14, 2025.
5. Â The Cabinet invited three officials from the Antigua Turf Club to provide a report on their effort to raise capital in order to bring the Cassada Garden Racetrack back into operation. Horse racing in Antigua has been on hold for several years since the deterioration of the racing track has made the sport unattractive. The group out of St. Croix, USVI, who accompanied the leaders of the Turf Club planned to spend approximately US$5 million to repair the track and buildings and viewing stands, and to refurbish another building on Old Parham Road where a slot machine casino would be built, and to construct an off-track-betting building at Cassada Gardens where bets could be routinely received. The Cabinet has reserved its decision until next Cabinet meeting, primarily to afford the Minister of Finance (Prime Minister Browne) to play a role in the decision-making.
6. In response to the Cabinet’s announcement a week ago to commence the renewal of commercial St. John’s by addressing the unoccupied/derelict buildings that pose a health, security and nuisance effect on surrounding properties and businesses, one building owner has stepped forward to enquire about the cost of removal; others have come forward to make payments of taxes owed. The Cabinet is of the view that it must begin to move quickly to raze those derelict properties that have been identified by the Inland Revenue Department, in order for the City of St. John’s to be transformed into a place of interest, cleanliness and easy to get around. The end of the blocked sidewalks, the enforcement of the law regarding hours for putting out rubbish, the daily cleaning of the streets and sidewalks have already shown how the City is moving towards sustainable levels. The Cabinet has applauded the Ministers who are responsible for immediate improvement which has become very evident to all.
7. Repair of the runway at the V.C. Bird International Airport will begin in earnest. The work will take place at night, however, so that there will be little or no interruption of traffic during daylight hours. The repaving is expected to last two years. New equipment dedicated to the resurfacing will also be purchased and stored on site under special sheds that will be built to very high standards, the Cabinet was told.
