Newton Promises Roads, Housing and Healthcare Overhaul in All Saints East and St Luke
With just weeks before voters head to the polls, Lamin Newton is framing his bid for All Saints East and St Luke around a mix of personal ties, visible groundwork and a slate of ambitious commitments that touch nearly every aspect of life in the sprawling constituency.
Speaking on ABS Television’s “Know Your Candidates” programme, the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) candidate presented himself as both a product of the constituency and a hands-on figure already delivering results, particularly in infrastructure.
“This is a very dear part of my life,” Newton said. “I was born and raised in All Saints… I feel that sense of responsibility that I have to play my part.”
Across the interview, one theme dominated Newton’s platform: infrastructure.
He described decades of neglect, saying problems with roads and flooding stretch from All Saints through the southern corridor to Old Road.
“That constituency has been neglected for far too long — 20 plus years that no sort of infrastructure work has been done,” he said.
Newton pointed to work already undertaken in the Follies community as proof of concept. Once plagued by severe flooding that left residents stranded during heavy rains, he said the area has seen drainage redesigns and road improvements.
“I gave them my commitment… and today, Follies no longer has the issue of flooding,” he said.
He framed the work not as campaign-season activity but as the start of a broader, phased plan.
“We determine which road we’ll do first based on a priority level,” Newton explained, noting that flood-prone areas are addressed first before moving to secondary roads.
He also defended the use of concrete roads in vulnerable areas, arguing they offer longer-term resilience compared to asphalt.
Newton outlined a clear set of priorities for his first 100 days if elected.
“Infrastructure,” he said, naming continued road improvements as his top concern.
He also committed to completing upgrades to the John Hughes clinic within three months and improving conditions at the Sweets facility, including installing air conditioning to address heat concerns for patients and staff.
Sporting and recreational spaces form the third pillar of his early agenda. Newton said neglected facilities would be rehabilitated to serve both youth and the elderly.
“People need recreation… people need to be able to have that recreational time,” he said, adding that he wants spaces where older residents can gather and spend time outdoors.
Beyond infrastructure, Newton placed strong emphasis on housing — particularly for younger residents seeking land ownership.
He revealed plans for a 50-acre plot of government-owned land to be subdivided and sold at subsidised rates.
“A plot of land… will be sold for $18,000 because we decided that we have to make it affordable,” he said.
The development, to be managed through the Central Housing and Planning Authority, would prioritise residents of the constituency while remaining open to others.
Newton said the government would also provide essential infrastructure — including roads, electricity and water — to support the development.
Healthcare is another cornerstone of Newton’s pitch, particularly for older residents who, he said, repeatedly raised concerns during his canvassing.
He promised a new clinic in Old Road within his first year in office and upgrades to existing facilities in Sweets and John Hughes.
“Old Road will receive a brand new clinic,” he said, calling it a “solemn promise.”
Newton added that funding would come from a mix of public resources and private donors, saying preliminary designs have already been completed.
He also pledged to secure an ambulance for the All Saints area, noting that commitments have been made by overseas donors.
While acknowledging complaints about inconsistent water supply, Newton argued the issue is no longer production but distribution.
“The disruption is coming from the re-piping issue,” he said, pointing to ongoing national upgrades to replace ageing pipes, some more than a century old.
He urged patience, saying the improvements would ultimately resolve long-standing supply problems.
Newton also highlighted his work in education, presenting it as both a personal passion and a practical intervention.
“I find that education is the one thing that opens doors,” he said.
He currently funds scholarships for 40 students annually from Irene B. Williams School and All Saints Secondary School, covering additional tutoring to prepare for CSEC exams.
The initiative, he said, responds to declining mathematics performance and the need for more personalised academic support.
Looking beyond social services, Newton positioned the constituency as central to Antigua and Barbuda’s food security.
He described the farming belt stretching across the area and the fishing activity in Old Road as critical national assets.
“I want to improve the food production… helping our farmers with clearing of lands, building dams, ponds, fertilisers,” he said.
He also called for stronger safety regulations for fishermen, referencing recent incidents involving missing seafarers.
Newton faces a tough contest against Jamale Pringle, who won the seat in the last general election.
Asked how he intends to overturn that result, Newton pointed to grassroots engagement.
“It’s all about building relationships with the people… you have to go and knock on every door,” he said.
He stressed that his campaign is grounded in tangible delivery rather than promises.
“We’re not here just to talk… we are here to deliver,” he added.
Newton’s candidacy reflects a broader campaign narrative from the ABLP centred on visible development and targeted constituency projects.
His message blends personal identity — as a “son of the soil” — with a technocratic focus on infrastructure, housing and public services.
Whether that approach resonates with voters in All Saints East and St Luke will be tested on election day, but Newton has made one point clear: his campaign is built on execution.
“These aren’t just election promises,” he said. “These are promises that we will deliver.”
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