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REPORT FROM THE CABINET OF ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
MEETING OF WEDNESDAY 1st OCTOBER 2025
The prayers before Cabinet were led by a Pastor from the Evangelical Association who read from the Gospel of Matthew Chapter 10 verse 16. In brief, Jesus warns his disciples they’re beingsent into a hostile world “like sheep among wolves,” so they must combine shrewd wisdom (“as wise as serpents”) with moral innocence (“as harmless as doves”). In short: be savvy without being shady—alert, strategic, and cautious, yet gentle, honest, and non-violent.
The Pastor encouraged members of the Cabinet not to engage in bitterness as it will impede their good judgement in doing the work of the people. He prayed that God will give the members of the Cabinet wisdom so that their work can be beneficial for generations.
- The Prime Minister and Chairman of Cabinet, the Hon. Gaston Browne, briefed Cabinet on his week-long programme at the United Nations in New York, reporting successful participation across high-level meetings and forums.
Cabinet commended the Prime Minister’s leadership, noting Antigua and Barbuda’s visible, sustained presence—the most active among small island states within the UN system. Members further praised his championing of SIDS priorities and wider international issues, often at a scope surpassing that of many developed countries.
Cabinet was advised that outcomes from the Prime Minister’s bilateral meetings are expected to deliver tangible benefits for Antigua and Barbuda.
- The Ground Transportation Advisory Committee has submitted recommendations aimed at addressing ongoing challenges in the regulation of ground transportation services at the V.C. Bird International Airport.
Of particular concern is the issue of “fly-by-night” operators who unlawfully solicit and transport arriving passengers, undermining legitimate operators and creating safety, order, and security risks. Additionally, gaps in coordination between taxi operators, the United Taxi Company (UTC), Destination Management Companies (DMCs), and the Antigua and Barbuda Airport Authority (ABAA) have contributed to inefficiencies and unfair competition within the system.
The Ground Transportation Advisory Committee was asked to devise measures to strengthen regulation, enhance enforcement, improve coordination, and increase the professionalism of transportation services at the Airport.
The following recommendations were agreed to by all parties:
1. Curtailment of Fly-by-Night Operators through stronger police enforcement and stronger ABAA enforcement in collaboration with the Police.
2. Non-UTC taxi operators must submit written notification 24 hours in advance to ABAA and UTC before picking up booked passengers.
3. Reintroduction of Dispatcher System at the Airport, organized by the Ministry of Tourism.
4. DMCs to pay a separate vehicle license fee comparable to bus and taxi operators.
5. Introduction of a decal/sticker system for DMCs operating A&C plated vehicles.
6. DMCs must regularize their status with ABAA.
7. DMCs to pay UTC a premium/royalty amount on every vehicle, per trip for jobs not performed by UTC, with terms negotiated between the parties including ABAA.
8. UTC is urged to create an administrative office, implement online bookings to increase market share, and acquire cars and SUVs to complement its fleet.
Present at the meeting were representatives from the following bodies:
• Transport Board – Mr. Hubert Joseph (Chairperson),
• Traffic Department – Mr. Carver Wilson (Inspector)
• United Taxi Association – Mr. Ian Joseph (President)
• United Taxi Company (UTC) – Mr. Matthew, Mr. Brodie
• ABAA – Mr. Joseph Samuel, Mr. Jan Walker, Ms. Geneva George
• Eagle Tours – Mr. Adolphus Freeland
• ABTB Inspection Centre – Ms. Jossette Payne (Supervisor)
Mrs. Sherrylaine Bowens (Project Officer)
Additional stakeholder groups represented included:
• Ministry of Tourism
• ABAA
• United Taxi Company operators at the Airport
• National Taxi Association (including Villa, West Bus Station, Heritage Quay)
• Destination Management Companies
• The Police (Traffic Department)
• The Ministry of Legal Affairs - The Honourable Minister of Health, Wellness, the Environment and Civil Service Affairs recommended Cabinet’s approval for the establishment and support of diploma and graduate public health programmes at ABCAS. These programmes would:
• Provide accessible and affordable accredited training locally.
• Reduce dependence on external institutions and high tuition costs abroad.
• Allow for curriculum tailored to Antigua and Barbuda’s specific public health priorities, including epidemiology, waste management, occupational health, and health systems management.
• Create a steady pipeline of qualified professionals to strengthen the national health system and improve preparedness for evolving health challenges
Public health is a cornerstone of national development, serving as the foundation for a healthy population and a resilient society. The need for specialized public health training in Antigua and Barbuda is urgent and growing as national health challenges—ranging from infectious disease management, occupational and environmental health, to epidemic preparedness—demand a well-trained and adequately staffed public health workforce.
The Central Board of Health (CBH) currently operates with only six (6) trained public health officers, three of whom are due to retire within the next two years. This represents a severe shortage compared to the thirty-five (35) inspectors required to meet the country’s needs. This deficit directly impacts disease surveillance, health education, food safety, inspections, and national disaster responses.
Access to accredited public health training within the region is limited to the University of Technology (UTech) in Jamaica and the College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (COSTAATT), both of which pose financial and logistical barriers for Antiguan and Barbudan students.
The Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies (ABCAS) is well-positioned to fill this gap by developing and delivering accredited diploma and graduate-level public health programmes. Such programmes would address the workforce shortage while creating a sustainable pipeline of public health professionals to meet the nation’s long-term health objectives.
The Honourable Minister recommended Cabinet’s approval of the following:
1. Designation of public health programmes offered by ABCAS and other regional institutions as national priority programmes under the Prime Minister’s and the Board of Education’s scholarship schemes.
2. Approval of an increase to the training and development budget of the Central Board of Health to support training, staff development, and the implementation of public health programmes at ABCAS.
3. Development of a Diploma in Public Health at ABCAS specifically geared towards the training of all District Medical Officers within the Ministry of Health, Wellness, the Environment and Civil Service Affairs.
4. Contractual employment of trained environmental health professionals to assist in the management of public health conditions in Antigua and Barbuda, while simultaneously providing internship opportunities for young Antiguans and Barbudans pursuing Environmental Health, Environmental Engineering, and related specialist disciplines.
Cabinet considered the recommendations and approved the establishment and support of diploma and graduate public health programmes at the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies (ABCAS), including the additional measures outlined.
- The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda considered a request submitted by the Hon. Minister for Sport, Daryll Matthew on behalf of the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) for the waiver of all utility charges—electricity and water—at the ABFA Technical Center at Paynters, St. George.
The Cabinet noted that the ABFA is the duly recognized governing body for football in Antigua and Barbuda, and that the Technical Center represents a major investment in sports development. The facility comprises two FIFA-certified artificial turf playing fields, administrative headquarters, modern player changing rooms, laundry facilities, and public amenities. It also serves as the national hub for football training, development, and competitions, including school-level tournaments in partnership with the Ministry of Sports. The ABFA and the Ministry of Sports currently have a Memorandum of Understanding to partner on the management of schools football.
Cabinet further acknowledged that the Technical Center is the first facility of its kind in Antigua and Barbuda, and its establishment represents a multi-million-dollar investment in the nation’s sporting infrastructure. In line with existing Government policy, other national sporting venues currently benefit from utility concessions, and Cabinet recognized the importance of extending parity of treatment to the ABFA.
The Cabinet approved the request by the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association and granted a waiver of all utility charges (electricity and water) for the ABFA Technical Center on a continuing basis. This approval is given in recognition of the critical role that the facility plays in advancing youth and community development, promoting sports excellence, and strengthening Antigua and Barbuda’s standing in regional and international football.
The Cabinet commends the ABFA for its investment and partnership in the development of national sports and reaffirms its commitment to supporting initiatives that advance the country’s social and sporting infrastructure.
- The Attorney General and Minister for Legal Affairs, Sir Steadroy Benjamin informed Cabinet of significant achievements by Antiguan and Barbudan nationals and new international responsibilities entrusted to the country.Ms. Annetta Jackson has graduated from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) where she pursued a Master of Science in Gender, Policy and Inequalities. Her training will build national capacity in gender-responsive policymaking and the integration of equality and inclusion into governance and development frameworks.Ms. Latisha Browne, of the Forensics Unit, has graduated from Cranfield University where she pursued a Master of Science in Forensics with a Specialisation in Ballistics. Her return to service will strengthen national forensic science capacity, particularly in firearms/ballistics analysis, evidence chain-of-custody, and expert testimony in judicial proceedings.Mr. Zachary Phillips, Crown Counsel in the Attorney General’s Chambers, has been formally invited to serve as Legal Coordinator for the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) at the upcoming COP30 in Belém, Brazil (6–21 November 2025).His role will include providing legal and strategic advice to the AOSIS Chair and Lead Negotiators, coordinating legal positions across the agenda, and supporting the drafting and review of legal texts. This appointment underscores Antigua and Barbuda’s growing leadership within international climate negotiations.Antigua and Barbuda has been invited to serve as Co-Chair, alongside Saudi Arabia, of the newly established Global Network of AI Supervisory Authorities.This appointment places the nation at the forefront of global governance of artificial intelligence, giving Antigua and Barbuda a strategic role in shaping international standards, safeguarding ethical use of AI, and promoting the digital transformation agenda for SIDS. Cabinet recognized that these academic pursuits, professional appointments, and leadership roles directly strengthen Antigua and Barbuda’s national and international standing in:• Gender and social policy, advancing equity in governance;• Forensic science and criminal justice, enhancing national security and rule of law;• Climate change negotiations, reinforcing Antigua and Barbuda’s role as a leader within AOSIS;• Artificial intelligence regulation, positioning Antigua and Barbuda as a global voice in the governance of emerging technologies.Cabinet commended Ms. Annetta Jackson, Ms. Latisha Browne, and Mr. Zachary Phillips for their achievements and expressed confidence in their contributions to national development. Cabinet further welcomed the international recognition of Antigua and Barbuda as Co-Chair of the Global Network of AI Supervisory Authorities, noting this as a milestone in the country’s diplomatic and technological leadership.Cabinet reaffirmed its commitment to investing in human capital development, strengthening national institutions, and advancing Antigua and Barbuda’s global role in critical areas of governance, justice, and technology.
- Two weeks ago, the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda declared October as National Anti-Litter Month in support of a National Cleanup Campaign (NCC), a multi-agency initiative spearheaded by the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF).
The NCC was launched in response to the urgent need to address improper waste disposal, derelict vehicles, abandoned houses, and illegal dumping sites which threaten public health and degrade the environment. A rapid assessment carried out by the ABDF identified 31 derelict vehicles, 31 abandoned houses, and 2 illegal dump sites in just one sector of St. John, underscoring the scale of the challenge.
Under ABDF leadership, with support from the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment, the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Education, and community stakeholders, the campaign is being rolled out nationwide in three phases:
1. Preparation – Mapping priority sites, issuing notices, and securing equipment.
2. Execution – Minister-led launch of nationwide cleanup activities beginning in St. John and extending to all communities, including Codrington.
3. Sustainability – Publishing results, promoting school environmental programs, and establishing regular community cleanups.
To drive public participation, schools have been encouraged to organize student activities promoting anti-litter practices, while national influencers—including soca artistes and sporting personalities—will join a marketing campaign throughout October and beyond to raise awareness and inspire community involvement.
The Cabinet commends the ABDF for its leadership in mobilizing this national effort, the NSWMA for its operational support, and the Ministries, schools, NGOs, and citizens who are joining hands to create a cleaner, healthier, and prouder Antigua and Barbuda.
Citizens are called upon to take active part in this month-long effort and beyond, ensuring that the fight against litter becomes a lasting cultural shift.
“Together, we can protect our health, preserve our environment, and strengthen national pride.” - CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
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