HURST REPORTS ON CABINET of Wednesday 8 May 2024
As is the custom, a prayer from a priest marks the opening the Cabinet meeting weekly. An earthquake shook the building as the prayer was being said; everyone stood still despite the shaking lasting approximately 20 seconds. After the prayers, the Chairman of Cabinet, Prime Minister Browne, called on the relevant authority who noted that he experienced the mild earthquake and would communicate the details with the Cabinet as soon as they were available. It was later learned that the earthquake measured 5.4 magnitude on the Richter scale, was 27.3 miles southeast of Antigua and Barbuda, at a depth of 6.2 miles. There was no report of damage.
1. The Cabinet members expressed their appreciation for the participation of thousands of citizens and residents of Antigua and Barbuda at this year’s Labour Day celebration. Although initiated by the AT&LU 73 years ago, both major political parties have continued to play essential roles in the activities of Labour Day. In fact, the Prime Minister and Leader of the Antigua Barbuda Labour Party challenged the trade union which represents 4,000 hotel workers, to be more aggressive in securing greater benefits for its paying members.
2. The Cabinet invited to its meeting two medical doctors, a pharmacist, an investor in medical marijuana, and the Rastafarian leader who suffered from stage four cancer of the prostate. The afflicted male became very ill, lost his appetite and body weight to the extent that he weighed no more than a 120lbs. The patient collaborated with a medical marijuana specialist and a traditional doctor causing him to gain more than 50lbs, to gain strength and feeling of well-being. He thanked the Prime Minister and the Cabinet for engineering the collaboration with the traditional doctor to treat his ailment. His Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test showed an unusual high, indicating the severity of this deadly disease. However, the use of the medical marijuana, coupled with other treatment, caused the PSA test numbers to decline. In order to deliver effective treatment to others who may be similarly afflicted, a research and development programme has to be inaugurated at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Center (SLBMC); the laws of Antigua and Barbuda would require amendments in order to allow patients to choose this treatment.
3. The Cabinet invited 17 officials to its meeting, including the top brass of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda, the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force, the Organization of National Drug Control and Money Laundering Policy (ONDCP), the Fire Department, and an IT Specialist within the government service who collaborates with law enforcement; they discussed the evident increase of robberies by young males and other crimes involving the use of firearms. The Prime Minister explained that the Cabinet stands full-square with law enforcement, and resources of the Treasury are to be made available in order to stem the tide of these violent crimes. The Police Commissioner noted that there can be no statistics for crimes prevented; however, patrols and ‘Stop-and-Search’ by the Police and Military are a deterrent. The Police noted that new perpetrators of a younger age are choosing to become criminals, and to seek out victims that are easier to rob. It was agreed that all the data collected required analysis in order to determine the best strategy. Collaboration between the Antigua and Barbuda Transport Board and the Police to provide the names of owners of plate numbers is assured. The security that has been organized for the SIDS4 conference, ICC T20 World Cup, and even Carnival 2024, is in place and will deter criminal activity. The IT Specialist provided assurance that the public cameras are working and that the monitors will show images of events that are taking place on the ground.
4. During lunch, the Cabinet held discussion with the General Manager of the Antigua Port Authority regarding concretizing the plan to turn the Deep Water Harbour into a Transshipment Port. The intent is to receive goods coming from large territories in shipping containers that are stored here, and then transferred to other island-countries in the Eastern Caribbean. The recent investment of almost USD100 million in the development of the Port at Rat Island is to turn it into a sub-regional hub for the Eastern Caribbean countries.
i. Another trial flight by LIAT2020 will take place on May 9th, in furtherance of receiving its AOC license. LIAT2020 is weeks away from its first commercial flight.
ii. The Minister of Health reported that there are 10 abandoned elderly men and women at the SLBMC. He provided the names of the individuals and their next of kin. He reported to Cabinet that new legislation is needed to protect these elderly citizens who have been abandoned by their relatives. He proposes an ‘Abandonment of the Elderly and Protection of their Assets” Act.
iii. The Minister of Works reported that the Boys Training School is very near completion. The painting of the building was only delayed due to heavy rainfall.
iv. Work at the Tomlinson’s Public Cemetery is proceeding satisfactorily; the fence is near completion, to be followed by paved roads, a parking lot and an administrative building.
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