Government to Prioritize Community Repairs
The Government of Antigua and Barbuda says it will establish a dedicated oversight board to manage the new $100 million road rehabilitation fund, financed by a vehicle user fee. The initiative aims to accelerate long-overdue repairs, particularly in community and village roads across the country.
Speaking during Thursday’s post-Cabinet briefing, Chief of Staff Ambassador Lionel Hurst explained that the fund will operate similarly to the Board of Education model—ringfenced and independent of the central treasury to prevent diversion of resources.
“This money will not go into the Consolidated Fund where it becomes fungible. It will go into a separate account managed by a board,” Hurst said. “The board will ensure that the funds are used exclusively for road repairs, with the Ministry of Works responsible for implementation.”
The $100 million fund will be supported by the recently introduced vehicle user fee—equivalent to $104 per year—collected during annual registration. Hurst confirmed that funds have just begun accumulating from April registrations and will be used to service a loan that will finance the repair works.
Although no specific roads have yet been confirmed, the Ministry of Works is said to be preparing a list of priority areas, with a focus on improving roads in residential and underserved communities. A timeline and detailed rollout plan are expected to be published in the coming months.
“We will see the prioritised roadworks published so the public knows when and where road rehabilitation will begin and end in each district,” Hurst added.
The announcement comes amid growing frustration over deteriorating road conditions and pothole-riddled streets, particularly in rural areas. The government maintains that this dedicated fund, along with greater transparency, will mark a new era in infrastructure management.
Cabinet officials have also indicated that while the user fee is modest—approximately 40 cents per day—the cumulative impact across tens of thousands of registered vehicles will provide the financial leverage needed to tackle repairs on a national scale.
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Antiguan government on both sides have been massive failures when it comes to sorting out the country’s road system…One day they will get it right…
500 more vehicles arrived on Thursday. Government should not only be fixing roads but more importantly must be planning for road expansion. The present main roads were built for horse carts and were eventually paved. None were built for 55,000 vehicles including big water trucks with 10,000 gallond capacity, rigs pulling 40 ft containers and concrete trucks. If we are allowing 6 to 10 thousands vehicles to be imported annually, where are we putting them? Where is the plan? Where is the environmental plan for the disposal of old vehicles? Right now there are millions of old tyres at Cooks that cannot be disposed. And then we have the parking crisis with a useless DCA. No business should be allowed to build unless parking is provided for customers.
Real talk we nearly have to explore Underground possibilities
Cashew Hill Road!! Cashew Hill Road!!! Cashew Hill Road!!! Years now de road full a 💩!! Cashew Hill Road!!!!
We do expect to see an uptick in road repairs that is the MO of the Labour Party when an election is near but the usual shitty repairs will just be wasting the money so the increased licensing fees will just be for nought
Which road os the government priortirize?
Which.communities are they targeting? Who decides on which communities will get priority?
Is that what is going to happen or are they targeting constituencies which they want to keep under the labour column in the next elections?
Will any road in Old Road get attention?
Wi any road in All Saints East and St Lukes get priority?
Will any attention be give to roads in St Johns Rural West?
Will any road in St Phillips South get attention?
This government cannot be any more transparent.
Not like being principled or above board.
Rather seing through their corrupt actions.
Not another board and set of self enrichment from the new taxes. We have enough people already paid by government. Look around the public sector and you will find enough qualified people just sitting in office, twiddling their thumbs. What is going to happen with this board as most-they the members will be owning equipment soon and self enrichment and corruption will be widespread.
I still do not believe that the public works as it stands has the right leadership in terms of the Director and his assistant. Honestly speaking I believe that the PS at PWD is one of the best in the civil service, if not the best.
A proper forensic accounting company needs to investigate PWD. I am almost sure if that is put in place, several of the top engineers will run away. Of all the government ministers PWD for decades and continue to be by far the most corrupt.
The politicians, the dictators, the engineers have used it to accumulate wealth by corruption practices. Several of the senior staff, those working in the quarries, the roads superintendent etc . Have all benefited and continue to live lavishly of the back of tax payers.
Antigua can do so much better if you stop these corrupt practices and put Antigua first.