The government has taken on 48 new workers at the Public Works Department to accelerate road repairs across Antigua and Barbuda, Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced. According to Antigua News Room, Browne made the disclosure while speaking on the Browne and Browne Show.
The newly hired workers will be trained and deployed to strengthen existing road maintenance crews, with a particular focus on addressing concerns about the pace of repairs in communities across the country.
"In fact, just yesterday… Public Works would have taken on at least 48 young people… especially when it comes to patching the roads," Browne said.
The Prime Minister acknowledged that roadworks have not been advancing quickly enough in some areas, but expressed confidence that the additional staffing will significantly boost capacity and improve response times.
Browne also moved to reassure the public that finances are not an obstacle to progress. "Money's not an issue… we have more money that we can spend right now," he said.
Addressing suggestions that the current push on road repairs is tied to the upcoming election cycle, Browne dismissed the notion that the effort would be short-lived. "This is not a little flurry of action… we're going to continue with the same or even greater intensity after the elections," he said.
The Prime Minister noted that multiple contractors are already active across various constituencies. The government is also prioritising more durable infrastructure solutions, including the use of concrete roads in select communities to better withstand flooding and extreme heat.
While apologising for disruptions caused by ongoing works, Browne said the government intends to systematically address road conditions nationwide until the issue is fully resolved.
