{"id":247861,"date":"2025-08-28T08:51:06","date_gmt":"2025-08-28T12:51:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=247861"},"modified":"2025-08-28T08:51:07","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T12:51:07","slug":"cabinet-notes-wednesday-27th-august","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/cabinet-notes-wednesday-27th-august\/","title":{"rendered":"CABINET NOTES: Wednesday 27th August"},"content":{"rendered":"
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REPORT FROM THE CABINET OF ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
MEETING OF WEDNESDAY 27th<\/sup> AUGUST 2025<\/strong><\/p>

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The Prayers before Cabinet was led by an Anglican Priest who read from Isiah Isaiah 58:9\u201312<\/strong>:  God calls on his people to care for the hungry and afflicted, and He will hear their prayers and guide them continually. He will strengthen them, refresh them like a well-watered garden, and restore their lives. They will rebuild what was ruined, raise up ancient foundations, and be called \u201crepairers of the breach\u201d and \u201crestorers of paths to dwell in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Priest says that these verses emphasize that true righteousness and blessing come from showing compassion, justice, and mercy\u2014he called on members of the Cabinet to ignore the distractions and focus on peace, love and joy and doing the work of the people.  He prayed that God will restore, guide, and use them to rebuild and heal their communities as the Bible promises.<\/p>

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1.     The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda, under the leadership of Prime Minister the Hon. Gaston Browne, commenced this week\u2019s session by extending warm congratulations to the legendary soca band, Burning Flames, fondly known as the \u201cFantastic Four.\u201d The group\u2014Clarence \u201cOungku\u201d Edwards, Toriano \u201cOnyan\u201d Edwards, David \u201cBubb-I\u201d Edwards, and Rone \u201cFoxx\u201d Watkins\u2014were invited as special guests to receive Antigua and Barbuda Diplomatic Passports in recognition of their 40th anniversary in the soca music industry.

In his remarks, Prime Minister Browne praised Burning Flames as an enduring symbol of Antiguan and Barbudan creativity, resilience, and cultural pride. He noted that for more than four decades, the band has not only revolutionized the soca genre with their distinctive fusion of calypso, reggae, and modern Caribbean rhythms, but also served as cultural ambassadors who proudly carried the nation\u2019s flag across the globe. Their artistry, he said, has inspired generations while cementing Antigua and Barbuda\u2019s place in the history of Caribbean music.


Cabinet members echoed the Prime Minister\u2019s sentiments, recalling the band\u2019s humble beginnings with homemade instruments and free community concerts. They emphasized that Burning Flames\u2019 contribution to the nation\u2019s cultural identity is immeasurable, highlighting that the group did far more than entertain\u2014they united communities, uplifted the people, and showcased the ingenuity of a small island state on the world stage. Their legacy, members agreed, is one of innovation, excellence, and deep national pride.

During the session, Prime Minister Browne also officially announced that each member of Burning Flames will be nominated to receive the nation\u2019s second-highest honour, a Knighthood, at the upcoming November Independence celebrations.

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2.     With the new school year just one week away, the Cabinet received a progress report from the Board of Education on the readiness of schools to welcome students for the upcoming academic year. Final touches are being applied to the construction of additional classrooms at Pigotts Primary School and a new classroom block at Clarehall Secondary School. In addition, a new preschool facility at Villa Primary School will be ready for use at the start of the term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Cabinet was further advised that renovation works on the bathrooms and auditorium at Princess Margaret Secondary School and repairs at the Pares Secondary School have been completed.  At the Antigua Grammar School, work on the Home Economics Block will continue into the coming weeks but will not disrupt teaching when classes resume.<\/p>

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Meanwhile, temporary bathroom facilities at the Ottos Comprehensive School and the enclosure of a gazebo to create space for foreign language instruction are scheduled for completion in time for the reopening of schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To ensure full readiness, a series of school visits will take place next Tuesday, involving officials from the Ministry of Education, the Antigua and Barbuda Union of Teachers, and the Board of Education.<\/p>

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3.     The Honourable Ministers for the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) and the Ministry of Works provided an update to Cabinet on ongoing infrastructure projects, including the replacement of aging and damaged pipes and the construction and repair of roads across the country.<\/p>

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The Minister for APUA reported that the division\u2019s re-piping programme is progressing steadily, with upcoming focus on Barnacle Point, St. John\u2019s, and St. George\u2019s Streets. Work on re-piping All Saints Road is scheduled to commence shortly and is expected to be completed within 30 days. Additional re-piping will also take place on Anchorage Road leading to the Sandals Grande Resort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Minister for Works announced that her department is preparing to begin roadworks on All Saints Road from the Townhouse junction to Falmouth. Further road improvement projects are slated to start in the following areas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n