REPORT FROM THE CABINET OF ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
MEETING OF WEDNESDAY 27th AUGUST 2025
The Prayers before Cabinet was led by an Anglican Priest who read from Isiah Isaiah 58:9–12: God calls on his people to care for the hungry and afflicted, and He will hear their prayers and guide them continually. He will strengthen them, refresh them like a well-watered garden, and restore their lives. They will rebuild what was ruined, raise up ancient foundations, and be called “repairers of the breach” and “restorers of paths to dwell in.”
The Priest says that these verses emphasize that true righteousness and blessing come from showing compassion, justice, and mercy—he called on members of the Cabinet to ignore the distractions and focus on peace, love and joy and doing the work of the people. He prayed that God will restore, guide, and use them to rebuild and heal their communities as the Bible promises.
1. The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda, under the leadership of Prime Minister the Hon. Gaston Browne, commenced this week’s session by extending warm congratulations to the legendary soca band, Burning Flames, fondly known as the “Fantastic Four.” The group—Clarence “Oungku” Edwards, Toriano “Onyan” Edwards, David “Bubb-I” Edwards, and Rone “Foxx” Watkins—were invited as special guests to receive Antigua and Barbuda Diplomatic Passports in recognition of their 40th anniversary in the soca music industry.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Browne praised Burning Flames as an enduring symbol of Antiguan and Barbudan creativity, resilience, and cultural pride. He noted that for more than four decades, the band has not only revolutionized the soca genre with their distinctive fusion of calypso, reggae, and modern Caribbean rhythms, but also served as cultural ambassadors who proudly carried the nation’s flag across the globe. Their artistry, he said, has inspired generations while cementing Antigua and Barbuda’s place in the history of Caribbean music.
Cabinet members echoed the Prime Minister’s sentiments, recalling the band’s humble beginnings with homemade instruments and free community concerts. They emphasized that Burning Flames’ contribution to the nation’s cultural identity is immeasurable, highlighting that the group did far more than entertain—they united communities, uplifted the people, and showcased the ingenuity of a small island state on the world stage. Their legacy, members agreed, is one of innovation, excellence, and deep national pride.
During the session, Prime Minister Browne also officially announced that each member of Burning Flames will be nominated to receive the nation’s second-highest honour, a Knighthood, at the upcoming November Independence celebrations.
2. With the new school year just one week away, the Cabinet received a progress report from the Board of Education on the readiness of schools to welcome students for the upcoming academic year. Final touches are being applied to the construction of additional classrooms at Pigotts Primary School and a new classroom block at Clarehall Secondary School. In addition, a new preschool facility at Villa Primary School will be ready for use at the start of the term.
The Cabinet was further advised that renovation works on the bathrooms and auditorium at Princess Margaret Secondary School and repairs at the Pares Secondary School have been completed. At the Antigua Grammar School, work on the Home Economics Block will continue into the coming weeks but will not disrupt teaching when classes resume.
Meanwhile, temporary bathroom facilities at the Ottos Comprehensive School and the enclosure of a gazebo to create space for foreign language instruction are scheduled for completion in time for the reopening of schools.
To ensure full readiness, a series of school visits will take place next Tuesday, involving officials from the Ministry of Education, the Antigua and Barbuda Union of Teachers, and the Board of Education.
3. The Honourable Ministers for the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) and the Ministry of Works provided an update to Cabinet on ongoing infrastructure projects, including the replacement of aging and damaged pipes and the construction and repair of roads across the country.
The Minister for APUA reported that the division’s re-piping programme is progressing steadily, with upcoming focus on Barnacle Point, St. John’s, and St. George’s Streets. Work on re-piping All Saints Road is scheduled to commence shortly and is expected to be completed within 30 days. Additional re-piping will also take place on Anchorage Road leading to the Sandals Grande Resort.
The Minister for Works announced that her department is preparing to begin roadworks on All Saints Road from the Townhouse junction to Falmouth. Further road improvement projects are slated to start in the following areas:
- Gunthropes – Near 268 Veterinary Service & Supplies
- Carty Hill, Glanvilles – Muffy’s Supermarket and near Sea Breeze
- American Road, Eunice Drive
- Carty Hill, Glanvilles – First left off main road (five roads)
- Bendals, Pioneer Kennel Road
- Glanvilles – Leading to School of Agriculture and left after Service Station
- Spring Street, Upper Fort Road
- Upper Fort Road, north of the Cemetery
- Off Wireless Road, left from Lauchland Benjamin Drive
- Paynters – Between Mali Apple Drive and Golden Apple Drive
Additionally, both APUA and the Ministry of Works will continue implementing improvements to street lighting nationwide, with a particular focus on educational and recreational facilities.
4. The Hon. Minister for Tourism reported to the Cabinet that 36 Forty-Foot containers have arrived on islands and are being cleared with materials to begin construction of the Mariott – Yepton House, A luxury Collection Resort, being constructed at Yeptons Antigua.
114 Rooms are being constructed along with a Restaurant, Lobby Bar, Meeting Rooms, Kids Club and retail Shops in the main building. There will also be a Gym and Spa to include Single and Double Treatment Rooms and a Relaxation Deck. A water Sport Centre/Rum Shack will be constructed along with 8 overwater villas.
He advised Cabinet that the Resort is expected to be completed in time for the start of the 2027 Winter Tourist Season.
5. The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda welcomed members of the Ecclesiastical Commission to discuss the ratification of the Commission’s Terms of Reference and a Code of Conduct for guiding political parties and candidates. Cabinet agreed to review both documents and invited the Commission to return in the coming weeks for further discussions on their contents.
The Cabinet also confirmed the establishment of a National Day of Prayer as a public holiday, to be observed annually on the second Thursday of September (11th September 2025). The day will feature a national march and a Prayer Service, with the entire day dedicated to prayer and fasting for the nation and people of Antigua and Barbuda.
Additionally, Cabinet approved a ban on the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages on this day from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
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This always make the person in this position look bad, even cosmetically because they have to excrete the government rubbish from their mouth as an apologist for rogue politicians, using gymnastics semantics ability to tell the people that they are stupid @$$e$, or probably semiliterate population to talk down too.