Independent Senator Jamilla Kirwan has urged the government to prioritise maintenance of public infrastructure over new construction, warning that neglect is costly and unsustainable.
Making her maiden contribution to the 2026 Budget Debate in the Senate, she said preventative upkeep should become standard practice, rather than waiting for buildings to deteriorate.
“Maintenance should not begin when a crack appears. Maintenance should happen before it does,” she told senators.
Kirwan described the national budget as a reflection of the country’s values, drawing parallels between public finance and household management in a small island state with limited resources.
She cited the restoration of Government House—funded with more than EC$7m and due for completion in 2026—as an example of effective preservation, but raised concerns about the poor condition of several cultural and heritage facilities, including the Dean William Lake Cultural Centre, the Old Parliament Building and the National Archives.
The senator argued that repairing and upgrading existing facilities, such as improving lighting, resurfacing courts and providing covered spaces, would be more cost-effective than launching new projects. She also called for greater community involvement in maintaining public assets, supported by clear oversight.
On education, Kirwan welcomed the EC$220.1m allocation in the 2026 Budget, including free CXC exams and expanded access to tertiary education, but questioned its long-term sustainability. She suggested attracting regional students to The University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus to generate revenue.
She also supported plans to reopen the Cancer Centre in early 2026, while stressing the need for ongoing maintenance of medical facilities and equipment.
Kirwan concluded that Antigua and Barbuda’s limited resources require careful planning and consistent maintenance to safeguard national investments.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
ANR where is my comment
You are new and enthusiastic. You are still enjoying the swag of being made a senator. One of the young futures who are going to change things in Gaston Browne’s Senate.
It says here that you are URGING “shift from new projects to maintenance”. Nice. Very nice. Almost all of us would like that to happen. The only thing is you sort of forgot who you were talking to.
Did you mean, were you directing this urge to the person who does not believe in fixing but in building because that is where the money is?
Do you believe that because you are new and fresh to this sort of thing that it would resonate?
Some are sure the older senators were thinking, don’t worry, you would soon learn how barley grow inside here.
Enjoy your shiny eye moments while they last. If you are full of patriotism and you want this little heaven to work, you might get downhearted when you finally find out what goes on in the room that you opened the door to and entered. What you will learn will tax every ounce of decency you possess in your whole body.
She sounds like a real politician
Not she go in, in the midst of all this turmoil we’re experiencing and she go talk bout infrastructure.
EXCELLENT POINT!!!
I have been saying this. We want new things and when we get new things, we do not care for them.
Well said KIRWAN!!!
Will be listening to intently Miss Kirwon, I am an admirer,do not become part of the rot. Love you like cook food
Comments are closed.