HURST REPORTS ON CABINET of Wednesday 23 October 2024
The Cabinet began its sitting with prayers rendered by a pastor who examined Psalm 67.
1. The Cabinet held an intense discussion on the recently-purchased Kingdom Hall in Seaview Farm and its transformation into The Behavioral Health Institute – the name which the replacement mental health hospital is to be called. The building has been purchased from a religious body after having been on sale for many years. It sits on six acres of prime real estate. A psychiatrist accompanied the Minister of Health to the compound for a walk-through yesterday Tuesday 22 October 2024. The possibilities are so many, and the quality of the building is so outstanding, the doctor came to the conclusion that the potential was very impressive. Experts with the capability to transform and re-purpose buildings will be called upon to offer design and reconstruction possibilities.
2. The Cabinet noted the statement by the Chairman of the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party indicating he has no interest in challenging the leader. Operatives of the opposition political party have deliberately spread rumors in an attempt to divert attention away from their own internal political difficulties. The entire Cabinet affirms its full support for one leader, one government, and one party.
3. The Cabinet held discussions about solving the challenge of loitering students in the streets of St. John’s, when schools end at 1:30pm. The Cabinet considered extending the end of the school day by introducing sports, agricultural programmes, and after-school classes for those requiring additional teacher exposure time. The Cabinet recognizes that teachers, their bargaining representative, parents, administrative personnel and others are to be consulted before any change could take place.
4. i. The Cabinet held a discussion about the programme of the 43rd Independence celebrations of Antigua and Barbuda, which has been planned by the Ministry of Creative Industries. The programme for Barbuda commenced today, Wednesday 23rd October 2024. A packed agenda of items in Antigua commences on Thursday 24th October, when the Youth Rally will kick off the events. The Independence Food Fair and the Independence Ceremonial Parade in Antigua, will close out the Independence events, as will the Flag Raising ceremony in Barbuda, on Friday November 1st 2024.
ii. An official from the Festivals Commission was invited to Cabinet to address the issue of budgetary support for the several Independence activities. Significant costs are attached to hosting more than 1,000 students, for moving pans and players from schools to venues and back, for purchasing flags and other Independence paraphernalia, and for meeting the cost of cleaning the entire stadium following the Ceremonial Parade on Friday, for Cricket on Saturday.
5. The Cabinet took note of the profitability reported by the Central Marketing Corporation (CMC) that has been recent. The Cabinet opined that the original vision of the CMC was for it to purchase agricultural produce from farmers, in order to ensure that they had a market for their goods. CMC has evolved and now imports a variety of goods; it attracts wholesalers, supermarkets, and other large purchasers, making it a successful enterprise. The Cabinet asked the Comptroller of Customs to undertake a study that would indicate the extent to which waiver of duty and other taxes on imported items have led to a profitable CMC.
6. i. The Fire Chief and his Deputy were invited to Cabinet to address the issue of the rebuilding of the 1964 Fire House on Factory Road. The government has secured funding from the Global Climate Fund to construct a new Fire House and to repair several government buildings that are currently used by other divisions of the central government. The Fire Department will construct a temporary structure on lands adjacent to the current station, while the new Fire House is being constructed.
ii. The Managing Director of National Housing was invited to Cabinet to address the repairs of three clinics, replacing leaky roofs and resuscitating weakened walls. The Resources for these improvements will also come from the Global Climate Fund (GCF).
7. The practice of the Treasury paying overtime late engaged the Cabinet. It was determined that the classification of overtime as falling under “vendors” causes the delay. The Cabinet has called for overtime to be classified as a ”payroll expense”. The urgency to pay will then be recognized and the worker will receive his/her overtime in a much shorter time.
8.i. The Minister of Health reported that the legislation to allow the Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS) to carry out the National Health Insurance plan is being restarted. The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the drafting by the consultants.
ii. The Minister of Health reported that a visiting Heart Specialist from Hangzhou Normal University in China has been visiting Antigua for about a week. He is seeking to establish a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the University and Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre (SLMBC). The well-known Chinese heart surgeon has classified heart disease into two separate and distinct periods; the first is when the patient experiences mild chest pains; and, the second is after the patient has experienced heart failure. The Minister proposes to equip all clinics with the equipment to measure and examine patients suffering mild chest pains; the hospital would then address patients who suffer heart failure.
9. A private survey firm led by the Chief Surveyor was invited to Cabinet to speak to the erosion of Antigua’s coastline. Using images captured 40 years ago, the team was able to show that coastline erosion is real in the Caribbean. The team was indeed present during the SIDS4 Conference held here in Antigua last May 27 to 30; they were invited back to make a complete assessment of Antigua and Barbuda’s coastline. The team also provides countries with accurate baselines, representing the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) of countries. Antigua and Barbuda’s ocean space is more than 100 times the land space which the country possesses. 10. The Cabinet wishes everyone, citizens and residents alike, a very Happy 43rd Independence.
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