United Progressive Party candidate Adrian Williams has outlined a 10-point development plan for City South, presenting it as a direct response to mounting economic pressures and a call for community-driven governance ahead of the April 30 general election.
According to Antigua News Room, Williams delivered the plan at a town hall meeting, framing the upcoming vote as a defining moment for the country. He warned residents that global developments would have tangible consequences for Antigua and Barbuda.
"We are not entering into an ordinary election," Williams told attendees, pointing to anticipated increases in food prices, fuel costs and rent. "Issues forged far beyond our shores… are certainly going to affect us right here at home."
Williams said his proposals are designed to help residents "navigate these murky waters," with a focus on practical, community-level solutions to ease the cost of living.
The plan spans several key areas, including agriculture and land access, the revitalisation of St. John's, education, healthcare, youth development, policing and economic activity. Central to his platform is what he described as a "bottom-up" approach to nation-building, rooted in greater public participation and local empowerment.
"The power truly belongs to the people," Williams said. "We want to give that power where it belongs."
Among the proposals is an agriculture and land programme aimed at boosting food production and expanding opportunities for young people. The plan also includes measures to transform sections of the capital into hubs for small businesses and cultural activity.
Williams highlighted ongoing concerns within the healthcare system, citing long wait times and limited staffing as areas requiring urgent attention. He argued that reform must prioritise efficiency and equal access to services.
The candidate also stressed the need for structured programmes targeting youth engagement, discipline and skills development as part of a broader community development strategy.
Throughout his presentation, Williams emphasised consultation, making clear that the proposals had been shaped through community engagement rather than imposed from above.
"This meeting tonight is not us pushing things down your throat — this is us asking you, the people, how can we play a part… to modernise our system," he said.
Williams indicated that the 10-point plan forms part of the UPP's broader platform for the election, adding that continued dialogue with constituents would shape how the proposals are implemented if the party forms the next government.
