CABINET NOTES: WEDNESDAY 24th  September 2025

REPORT FROM THE CABINET OF ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
MEETING OF WEDNESDAY 24th  September 2025

The prayers before Cabinet were led by a Pastor from the Zion Church of God, who read from Psalm 31.  It is a  prayer for refuge and rescue: the psalmist pleads for God to be a rock and fortress.  David expresses his trust in God as a refuge and fortress while enduring suffering, betrayal, and danger from enemies.  Trust amid trouble: despite slander, enemies, and fear, he commits himself to God—“Into your hands I commit my spirit.”

Sticking to the theme of time, the pastor spoke of that verse in which David pointed out that his times are in God’s hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.  The Pastor prayed that members of the Cabinet will always give thanks and continue to do good – planting seeds and be patient with time to reap results later.

1. The Hon. Attorney General briefed Cabinet on his visit to the St. John’s Port earlier this week to witness the arrival of a state-of-the-art Liebherr mobile harbour crane, which he said will transform port operations. Government recently procured the Liebherr LHM 420 for the Antigua and Barbuda Port Authority at a cost of US$6.2 million, marking a major step in the Port’s strategy to position Antigua and Barbuda as a leading logistics hub in the Eastern Caribbean. 
   
   The new asset will significantly improve efficiency and turnaround times for cargo handling and trans-shipment, strengthening competitiveness, attracting additional business, and supporting national revenue growth and job creation.
   
   Equipped with advanced control systems and faster cycle times, the LHM 420 is expected to enable throughputs of up to 60 containers per hour, a performance level the Port considers a regional benchmark.
   
    
   
    
   
   Implementation status and next steps include:

1. Unloading & assembly: 18 components have already been off-loaded. The vessel foreman scheduled the crane discharge for Thursday, with container reloading on Friday.
2. Commissioning team: A four-member team of German engineers is on island to lead reassembly at the Port Authority.
3. Workforce readiness: A cohort of identified operators has begun hands-on training to ensure safe, efficient operations from day one.
   
    

2.     The Hon. Acting Prime Minister briefed Cabinet on a recent meeting with representatives of the Airport Taxi Association, tour operators, destination management companies, the Antigua and Barbuda Transport Board, and other stakeholders. The discussion addressed operating rights and service standards at V.C. Bird International Airport.

Cabinet approved the establishment of a Select Committee to examine the issues and recommend how Government can support taxi operators and related stakeholders in adopting appropriate regulations and service innovations to better serve passengers. TheCommittee will report its findings and recommendations to Cabinet next week.

3.     Cabinet was briefed that the Minister responsible for Public Safety convened a meeting with the Police High Command, the Ministry of Legal Affairs’ drafting team, and other stakeholders to address rising concerns about motorised bicycles and scooters. Police reported increased accidents and disruptions to traffic flow linked to these vehicles.

The stakeholders will develop recommendations—including possible legislative measures—to address the concerns of both the public and law enforcement. They will provide technical advice to the Minister, who will report back to Cabinet with the proposed actions.

4.     Last week we reported that Cabinet commended the Minister for Works for advancing the nation’s beautification agenda through the planting of trees along highways to enhance aesthetics. Cabinet also encouraged the Ministry of Works and Urban Renewal  to continue the greening effort, by expanding tree planting initiatives that will enrich the natural beauty of Antigua and Barbuda.

On Wednesday, Cabinet also approved the establishment of a supervised inmate work team to support roadside and community beautification. In addition, the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force will lead the October National Clean-Up Campaign under the theme “Love Where You Live.”

Cabinet remains committed to a future in which every citizen enjoys a cleaner, greener, and more beautiful Antigua and Barbuda.

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