HURST REPORTS ON CABINET of Wednesday 11 September 2024
The Cabinet began its sitting with a prayer. This has been the custom over the past ten years of governance.
1. The Cabinet members examined the progress made in addressing the spate of gun crimes and violence which the country suffered in July and August 2024. That spike has certainly abated; the Cabinet is of the firm view that many of the steps taken thus far by the Gaston Browne administration have contributed significantly to the recorded successes. The Cabinet applauded PM Browne for meeting with the gang members and arranging for the wayward boys and girls to return to school, to receive training in the trades, and to call a truce between the rival groups. The display of leadership, the Cabinet recalled, makes clear the affirmation that “leadership matters.” The Cabinet agreed that the establishment of a legislative framework, as reflected in the three main bills that the Parliament will adopt over the two days of deliberation, is necessary but not sufficient; the involvement of family and neighbors in upbringing, imbibing the lessons taught in school, and embracing the spiritual lessons taught by the church are all an integral part of the success of youth. It was agreed that a holistic approach is required, and the Gaston Browne administration is prepared to take all the necessary steps to make Antigua and Barbuda an even more secure small island-state.
2. The Cabinet decided to ensure that unemployed fathers are placed in jobs—in the beautification groups and other employment—so that they may earn an income and provide financial support to their children with single mothers. Too many single mothers, the Cabinet determined, are unable to receive any or sufficient financial support for the children that have been fathered by unemployed males. Fathers, the Cabinet reminded, have certain obligations imposed by law and the Administration intends to assist in making sure that those fathers earn an income from which court-ordered deductions can be made.
3.i. The Cabinet has mandated that no additional casino sites will be permitted across Antigua and Barbuda. The Gaming Authority is to receive this instruction from the Cabinet in an attempt to reduce the ease with which working men spend their weekly wages on gambling machines.
ii. The Cabinet agreed to provide pre-natal vitamins to pregnant mothers and child supplements to nursing mothers and infant children at no cost to the recipients. The Cabinet will authorize the Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS) to make the necessary arrangements in order to fulfill this ambition of meeting early childhood neurological development.
4. i. The Cabinet repeated its determination to remove derelict properties across Antigua, despite its acknowledgement of the sacrosanct value of private property. The abandoned houses and buildings are places where criminals hide firearms and addicts utilize as drug houses (for males who have become addicted to illegal substances).
ii. The Cabinet determined that vending across the city of St. John’s continues to give the city a look of untidiness. Therefore, stricter rules governing vending in St. John’s will be articulated in the coming weeks in order to reduce the unkempt look of the city. Sites from which vendors at the T.N. Kirnon Primary School and others on Old Parham Road have planted booths make for an unsightly jumble. The Cabinet will end the practice of erecting booths along public spaces.
iii. The Cabinet took into account the shortage of skillful labour and the increasing demand for skilled labour for projects that are scheduled to begin construction shortly. The Cabinet has noted that the skills necessary for the construction of the new hotel projects will likely cause permission of work permits to skilled construction workers from outside the country.
5. Having consulted with numerous residents of Barbuda, the Cabinet entertained several suggestions for the naming of the new international airport in Barbuda, to be opened on 3rd October, 2024. Cabinet considered the merits of the contributions of several distinguished sons of the soil to include the late Claude Earl Francis and Sir Eric Burton; Hilborne Frank, Sir McChesney George, Arthur Nibbs and Trevor Walker, among many other well-respected “Barbudans” who have worked tirelessly in the interest of the residents (people) of Barbuda. During robust discussions, the Cabinet critically examined the contributions of the named persons, not only to the development of the twin-island state, but more specifically to the socio-economic, cultural and political landscape of the island of Barbuda. Consequently, it was determined that two individuals would have distinguished themselves at the advent or the birth of the twin-island state during the framing of the constitution of Antigua and Barbuda at Lancaster House, in 1980. Sir Eric Burton and the Hon. Arthur Nibbs have both served as Members of Parliament representing Barbuda and were stalwarts of the political scene, pioneering entrepreneurs, and leaders who advanced commerce and economic development for the island. Accordingly, Cabinet considered the recommendations and decided that the new international airport in Barbuda shall be named the Burton-Nibbs International Airport.
6. The first reading of the Mental Health Act is now before the parliament; the new piece of legislation is intended to improve conditions which mental health patients experience at the Clarevue Mental Hospital. The Cabinet also began negotiations with the owners of a significant property that could serve as a mental hospital after certain modifications are undertaken.
7. The Cabinet has agreed to the start-up of a Heavy Duty Operator Academy to teach young men and women how to operate backhoes, excavators, bulldozers and cranes; to teach skills that will earn them a decent income in due course. This initiative will be spearheaded by the Public Works Department in collaboration with the Harrison School for Excellence.
8. The National Day of Prayer will commence at 6am to 6pm on Thursday 12th September 2024. Working with the Ecclesiastical Commission, many churches will open their doors for worshippers early on that day. Then at 1:30 pm, a march will commence from the Multi-Purpose Center to the Antigua Recreation Grounds where a service of worship will continue until 6:00 pm.
9. The Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda will re-convene on Friday 13 September at 9:30 am.
