CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
The government has ordered an intensified, islandwide review of more than 400 government-owned and government-occupied buildings following growing concerns about leaks, mold, poor ventilation and other conditions affecting employee health and productivity.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant said Cabinet agreed that many public buildings—some several decades old—are showing significant signs of deterioration, prompting the need for a more aggressive maintenance and inspection regime.
He noted that several ministries, including Tourism, Education and Agriculture, are already undergoing repairs as part of the Ministry of Works’ ongoing maintenance schedule.
Merchant said the decision “upscales what is already taking place,” with departments instructed to ensure their facilities meet acceptable standards for safety, air quality and structural integrity.
He pointed to the lack of natural ventilation in the government office complex, built in the 1990s without operable windows, as one example of the wider infrastructure challenges.
A dedicated maintenance fund, managed by the Ministry of Works, has already been established to address building repairs and urgent issues.
Merchant said the fund is being used to address leaks, eliminate mold, modernize ventilation systems and respond quickly when buildings “quickly fall into disrepair.”
As part of the expanded review, an HVAC specialist has been contracted to work with the ministry to diagnose and resolve air quality and ventilation problems across the public service.
The Department of Analytical Services continues to issue reports and recommendations after assessing buildings, with findings shared with permanent secretaries and heads of departments for action.
Merchant also confirmed that a new national building code—featuring updated standards for air quality, ventilation, structural safety and health-oriented design—will be tabled in Parliament in the first quarter of 2026.
He said the updated code reflects the government’s long-term commitment to ensuring public infrastructure meets modern workplace and health requirements.
The intensified inspections are expected to help prevent buildings from becoming uninhabitable and to support productivity improvements across the public service, Merchant said.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
Mr. PM and Mrs. Browne, Building Maintenance takes lots of money. And it is not about fixing things when they break, but doing preventative maintenance to prevent them from breaking. All the buildings from the government in the complex even the Prime Minister’s building looks sick. landscaping is piss poor. How long now they have the fence with the Parliament Building down. Which means anyone can come on the premises of the Prime Minister’s Office. Just walk in the entrance from the Parliament and step over the little wall. The Hospital from the outside all the guttering is filled with weed and that erode the entire facia board. Cracks in the floor at the rear entrance tells me the foundation was not poor to well. So there is already an gap showing between the step and the main building. I hope their is money put aside in this budget cycle and perhaps it needs to be manage by a competent contractor that knows about PREVENTIVE Maintenance. The same thing you do with your car. You take it to service every now and then. Do not wait to change oil when it is broken.
@Less We Forget – the optimum phrase and one which I use often, to describe how the public sector is managed, “piss poor;” runs through the sector like water through a sieve.
The maintenance of government properties falls under the Ministry of Public Works (correct me if I’m wrong). Therefore, why would the government enter into a contract with a private contractor to do same.
Maintenance of properties is one way which APPRENTICESHIP helps to train workers. You know, apprenticeship, programs which will help to absorb some of those who are roaming the island with little to no direction.
The Ministry of Public Works is not short on employees. It’s short on employees who are clueless as to their responsibilities and those charged with managing them lack the wherewithal, purpose, to do simple daily inspections to weekly reports for proper functioning of the Ministry.
PPM – Piss Poor Management
leads to
PPP – Piss Poor Planning
which morphs into
BBB – Big Boarse Bullshit.
Jumbee Picknee aka Ras Smood
De’ole Dutty Peg 🦶🏾Garrat_Bastard
Vere Edwards
Comments are closed.