Governor General Sir Rodney Williams has declared 2025 “one of the most successful ever witnessed by the people of Antigua and Barbuda,” citing strong economic performance, stable weather, and major national gains across multiple sectors. He delivered the assessment Thursday during the Throne Speech at the opening of Parliament.
Sir Rodney said the year brought a rare combination of favourable conditions. “There were no storms nor hurricanes, there was plenty of rain, and the country recorded enormous strides in virtually every sector of the economy,” he told lawmakers.
He noted that residents’ “feeling of security and well-being has been justified by the actions of law enforcement,” pointing to reduced serious crime and strengthened policing initiatives.
The Governor General also highlighted economic expansion, including growth driven by foreign direct investment, major construction activity, and what he described as wealth generation “across all income groups.” He reaffirmed that the Citizenship by Investment Programme “accounts for more than 10% of the country’s GDP,” supported by new OECS regulatory oversight.
Sir Rodney said national aviation also experienced a turnaround in 2025. LIAT’s return to viability and its planned expansion beyond the Eastern Caribbean, he said, will allow the airline to serve as a regional connector when Air Peace begins direct flights between Africa and Antigua. “The Phoenix has risen,” he said.
The Throne Speech described 2025 as a year of institutional repair as well, noting that restitution has begun in the Customs and Excise matter, which Sir Rodney said brought “the betrayal of the integrity” of the department to an end.
Looking ahead, he said 2026 holds “a very bright outlook,” with major improvements expected in infrastructure, banking, education, culture and sports. Sir Rodney closed by wishing the nation “a healthy and prosperous 2026,” calling for a peaceful Christmas season.
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So where the rest of the story
Fellow critical thinking Antiguans, we must now expect this government to push an exaggerated amount of claims about our economy to distract us.
The vehicle acquisitions procurement scandal has sparked them into unprecedented deflections about how the ABLP are supposed to be on track.
As we all know, there have been many deflections from this wayward and out of touch administration. They are doing so in the hope (like other financial controversies) that Antiguans will forget over the longer-term.
This maneuver has been a tried and trusted ABLP one in the past. We must now brace ourselves for more political distractions in the coming days, weeks and months.
The ABLP, the most predictable party in the history of Antigua, bar none.
,
Every major point being made are falsehoods
• Strong economic performance. Where are the numbers to support that statement?
• Unless you are gods the government had nothing to do with stable weather.
•Reduced serious crime and strengthened policing initiatives. Show us the numbers; not some statement that has no bearing on the facts
• Aviation turnaround in 2025. LIAT was handed over to an African in one of the worst cases of give away.
The country takes over $60 million debt that the other islands gladly walk away from. Plus an additional $20 million to repair aircraft’s. The handing over of LIAT hanger to Air Peace who now owns 70% of LIAT2020
NOT A WORD OF HOW MUCH MONEY Air Peace invested.
• Major construction activity and local contractors are just minor and insignificant players. Publish the number to support that lying.misleading statement
• the betrayal of the integrity” of the department to an end. So that what they call the Vehicle Scandal. So when worker steal from their bosses either the help of outsiders. It’s not thief and grand larceny, it’s just a betrayal of integrity.
There is so much yo slice and dice in this foolishness.
It’s interesting how the Government define prosperity.
I’m already insulted by the stupidity and embarrassment of this headline. Can’t insult me no more than this.
Guys stop with the propaganda please!
It’s enough already!
Antigua is the economic powerhouse of
the caribbean!
Ya de da da!
That’s why we are doing so good in antigua
👀🤔🫤
Only in antigua.
Maybe for your bank account.. mr brown .. I had one of the worst year, with the cost of living, prices at epicurean where there is zero price control… I ask you mr pm to “EASE THE SQUEEZE” you are actually a horrible leader.. I want a Change .. please call the election … btw things might have been easy for the people with the free cars while I pay a car note and buy my own gas … yup things easy for the chain gang or should I say anyone that’s part of that “LINK” … ease the SQUEEZE AND PLEASE NO TURKEY OR HAM FOR ME … I want a change the country needs a change … you can’t say growth and people struggling.. what growth ? All I see is your house getting bigger .. yes that’s growth .. now let’s get this thing straight …you know that we are fed up with you? We can’t wait to cast our votes to cast you out on your ass-set.. I know you will be still rich .. but so poor mortally and spiritually bankrupt ..
This present Antigua government is one big Ponzi Scheme..so, of course they had a wonderful year..
The Alpha Nero robbery, millions gone in a massive car thief, a 2% increase in ABST that went straight to their pockets, another $100mil loan for licensing fees, the millions that were taken from the peoples purse to put into LIAT.
They even came and for more from the SS to put in their foolish jolly beach investment.
So, of course they had a wonderful year. All the corrupt players and investors got a 25% on their investments.
Massive year indeed.. Bwoi these people are sick.