REPORT FROM THE CABINET OF ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
MEETING OF WEDNESDAY 3rd September 2025
The Prayers before Cabinet was led by a Pentecostal Pastor who read from the Book of Ecclesiastes Chapter 3 which speaks about the management of time. He spoke of many misconceptions to include the belief that time is money. In fact, he stated that utilizing ones time and investing in something productive and of value to humanity may lead to money. He called on members to utilize their time now and not put off for tomorrow or another day, to be productive and beneficial to the people whom they have been elected to serve. He concluded that time must aide others.
1. Cabinet Approval – Dredging Partnership and Investment
The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has approved a strategic partnership between the Antigua and Barbuda Port Authority, the Ministry of Works, and the Blue Ocean Dredging Company to invest in specialized dredging equipment for the completion of critical projects at St. John’s Harbour and Crabbs Harbour.
This initiative addresses long-standing challenges at both harbours, where significant volumes of material remain unremoved:
- St. John’s Harbour: Approximately 20,000 m³ of rock and 120,000 m³ of maintenance dredging, totaling 140,000 m³.
- Crabbs Harbour: Approximately 150,000 m³ outstanding.
A delegation comprising the Port Manager, the Manager of Blue Ocean, an engineer from the Ministry of Works, and Cabinet Minister Hon. Rawdon Turner will travel to Holland to engage potential equipment suppliers. This mission will support the modernization of Blue Ocean Dredging Company, now fully owned by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda.
Challenges with International Contractors
Previous efforts with international dredging firms have proven costly and uncertain:
- Boskalis (Holland): ~USD 2M mobilization/demobilization.
- Van Oord (Holland): USD 430K/day for one week, no completion guarantee.
- Jan De Nul (Holland): USD 9M (~USD 32/m³).
- Dutch Dredging (Belgium): USD 57–120/m³.
- Van Tunen (Holland): USD 715K mobilization + USD 67K/week.
- Seaward Marine Corp. (USA): USD 3–4M mobilization, USD 62.50/m³.
- Gallega (Santo Domingo): USD 380/m³.
By comparison, Blue Ocean Marine (Antigua) currently dredges at USD 21.50/m³, well below international rates. However, the company lacks the specialized equipment needed to complete large-scale projects.
Current Assessment
- International contractors remain reluctant, citing uncertainty over rock hardness and preferring charter agreementsinstead of fixed cubic-meter pricing.
- Local capacity offers competitive and sustainable rates, but requires equipment upgrades.
- A negotiated rate of USD 32/m³ is considered acceptable for completing the Crabbs and St. John’s projects.
Strategic Actions Endorsed by Cabinet
- Investment in Equipment
- Purchase of a Caterpillar 6015 Excavator with attachments (Xcentric Ripper XR80, Hydraulic Breaker HB7000, Quick Coupler).
- Lease, with option to purchase, of a Pontoon Barge.
- Recruitment of experienced dredge operators and mechanics.
- Expansion of Operations
- Maintenance dredging at St. John’s Harbour (cruise terminal, cargo terminal, fisheries complex).
- Beach replenishment projects across Antigua and Barbuda.
- Sand mining for the construction industry.
- Extension of dredging services to regional markets.
- Hopper Dredger – M.B. Amaru
- Operating cost projections for three months estimated at USD 600,500.
The delegation will evaluate equipment options and negotiate arrangements in the best interest of Antigua and Barbuda. Their findings will be presented to Cabinet for a final decision.
- Operating cost projections for three months estimated at USD 600,500.
2. Update on National Housing Development
The Director of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHAPA), Mr. Mark Richards, was invited to Cabinet to present an update on the Division’s ambitious plans to construct more than 400 homes across Antigua and Barbuda.
Mr. Richards reported that CHAPA is already mobilizing resources and personnel to begin construction in the Belmont area, where the first phase will deliver 27 starter homes. These homes will be built with reinforced concrete for durability and resilience and will be sold at one-third of the current market price, ensuring accessibility for lower- and middle-income families.
Simultaneously, preparations are underway for the construction of 76 homes in North Sound on a 10-acre parcel of land. To guide the rollout of this project, model homes have already been completed in Glanvilles, and additional amenities are being planned to support the surrounding communities.
The housing programme will also extend to other constituencies, with two- and three-bedroom starter homesearmarked for development in St. Paul, St. John’s Rural West, and St. Peter. These efforts form part of a wider strategy to expand affordable housing opportunities across the nation.
Over the past several years, the Gaston Browne administration has transformed the housing sector, overseeing the construction of thousands of affordable homes and placing homeownership within reach of many Antiguans and Barbudans for the first time. This new wave of projects continues that momentum, further strengthening the government’s commitment to housing as a pillar of social and economic development.
Mr. Richards also noted that while progress has been steady, the availability of skilled labour remains a major challenge. With greater access to construction workers, the pace of building could be accelerated significantly, allowing the government to meet the growing demand for affordable housing more quickly.
3. Expansion of Barbuda International Airport and Supporting Infrastructure
The Deputy Chief Immigration Officer and the Acting CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Airport Authority attended Cabinet on Wednesday to provide an update on the Barbuda International Airport and to seek approval for measures to further enhance its operations.
Cabinet approved the allocation of additional premises to house the Immigration Department, ensuring smooth and efficient processing at the airport. This step forms part of a broader programme of improvements being made in advance of the planned expansion of the Barbuda International Airport into a modern international gateway.
The expansion project will see the facility upgraded to:
- Accommodate larger international aircraft, opening new routes for tourism and commerce.
- Expand the passenger terminal, creating more comfortable and efficient spaces for arrivals and departures.
- Improve cargo handling capacity, positioning Barbuda as a hub for trade and logistics in the subregion.
- Integrate modern security and customs facilities, enhancing the island’s readiness for increased airlift and economic activity.
In support of these developments, Cabinet also confirmed the pre-approval of a loan for the construction of concrete roads across Barbuda in the latter half of this year. The current state of the road network has hindered the movement of workers and passengers to and from the airport. Once completed, the improved road system will directly support airport expansion while also benefiting the island’s residents, tourism sector, and wider economy.
This combined investment in aviation and infrastructure underscores the Government’s commitment to making Barbuda more accessible, strengthening its economy, and laying the foundation for long-term sustainable growth.
4. National Security, Law Enforcement, and Community Clean-Up Initiatives
The Minister responsible for National Security, the Hon. Sir Steadroy Benjamin, informed Cabinet that the Canine Unit of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda is now fully staffed with six dogs currently undergoing specialized training. These dogs are being prepared for drug detection, human trafficking interdiction, and the identification of illegal firearms and ammunition, significantly strengthening the Force’s capacity to combat organized crime.
Cabinet was further advised that the police have recorded a general decline in crime across the country. However, law enforcement officials remain deeply concerned about the high number of traffic accidents, which continue to pose a serious public safety challenge.
Police also reported a growing problem with unlicensed motorized vehicles, including bicycles, as well as an increase in vehicles fitted with coloured headlights. Officers will be intensifying enforcement operations to crack down on these infractions and restore order on the nation’s roads.
In addition, the Minister advised that the police will expand their programme of marking derelict vehicles across the island, with all marked vehicles to be removed within 14 days and disposed of at designated dumpsites. This update followed the Prime Minister’s strong expression of frustration with the slow pace of derelict vehicle removal from public spaces.
Prime Minister Browne also instructed the Ministers for Urban Renewal and Health to immediately order new garbage bins for placement in communities across the island, at a cost of EC $500,000. This measure forms part of the Government’s wider beautification and public health drive aimed at improving the cleanliness and overall appearance of communities nationwide.
5. Approval of Civil Service Grievance Procedure
The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has approved the establishment of a formal Grievance Procedure for the Civil Service, strengthening transparency, fairness, and accountability within the public sector.
Cabinet had previously agreed, on 2 August 2023, to form a Working Committee tasked with developing proposals for this framework. The Committee included representatives from key associations and unions—such as the Nurses Association, Teachers Union, Police Welfare Association, Public Service Association, Meteorological Officers, and Air Traffic Control Officers—alongside officials from the Labour Department, Legal Affairs, and the Establishment Department.
Following consultations, the Committee reached consensus on the framework, which Cabinet has now formally endorsed.
Key Elements of the Grievance Procedure
- Definitions clarified:
- Complaint – Informal expression of dissatisfaction.
- Grievance – Formal dissatisfaction requiring structured resolution.
- Dispute – Conflict potentially escalating to strike or lockout.
- Representation rights:
- Employees have the right to be accompanied or represented at any stage of the process.
- Step-by-step process:
- Initial discussion between the employee and their immediate supervisor.
- If unresolved, a written grievance may be submitted to the next level of supervision.
- A meeting with the Head of Department or Permanent Secretary must be held within five (5) working days.
-
- If resolved, a written and signed agreement is prepared.
- If unresolved, the Permanent Secretary must appoint an investigating panel of at least three persons within 5 days, with a report due within 10–20 working days.
- Both parties may respond to the panel’s report. The Permanent Secretary is then required to issue a resolution or, if necessary, refer disciplinary matters to the Chief Establishment Officer.
- Special procedures:
- If a grievance is lodged against a Head of Department, it escalates directly to the Permanent Secretary.
- If a grievance is lodged against a Permanent Secretary, it escalates to the Chief Establishment Officer.
This new grievance framework ensures that civil servants have a clear, fair, and transparent pathway to resolve disputes, while also protecting the rights of employees and maintaining accountability at all levels of government.
6. Education Sector Readiness and Expansion of Tertiary Education
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and the Director of the newly established Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies (ABCAS) were invited to Cabinet to provide an update on ongoing teacher negotiations and the readiness of schools and tertiary institutions for the opening of the new academic year on Monday, 8th September.
Cabinet was informed that discussions with the Teachers Union are progressing smoothly, and teachers are actively preparing for the reopening of schools. The Director of ABCAS further reported that all tertiary institutions operating under its umbrella are ready for the start of the school year.
In addition, it was confirmed that the School of Agriculture, located at the former Glanvilles Primary School, will soon begin offering short courses to farm attendants and farmers in areas such as animal husbandry and agro-processing. Looking further ahead, the institution is expected to launch Associate Degree programmes beginning in September 2026, expanding opportunities for advanced studies in agriculture and related fields.
To support this expansion, Cabinet also approved the creation of several key positions for the new campus, including:
- Campus Principal
- Lecturers
- Farm Supervisors
- Heads of Department in Crop Production, Livestock Production, and Agro-Processing
This initiative reflects the Government’s continued commitment to strengthening education at all levels and ensuring that both students and teachers are well-supported in the delivery of high-quality academic and vocational training.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
