Dear Editor,
There comes a time when silence becomes unfair.
Not just to the public, but to the individual who continues to serve while being overlooked, criticized, and in some cases, undermined even by those who should know better.
This is one of those times.
I write not as a constituent of St. John’s City East, nor as someone seeking favor, but as an observer, someone who has paid attention over the years and is prepared to say what many see, but few are willing to say openly.
Hon. Melford Nicholas deserves more respect, more recognition, and more honesty in how his work is assessed.
Too often, the narrative surrounding him is shaped by complaints, half-truths, and political convenience. Even more troubling is that some of that noise is not only coming from outside, but from within his own political space, where support should be strongest.
That needs to be addressed.
Melford Nicholas is not a loud politician. He does not thrive on confrontation or empty rhetoric. His approach is measured, sometimes slow, and often misunderstood. But make no mistake, he is deliberate. He believes in a soft landing, in working through issues rather than simply shutting people down.
And whether people admit it or not, things get done.
Over the past three election cycles, he has carried not just the responsibility of his constituency, but the weight of two major ministries, with Utilities being one of the most demanding portfolios in this country. Water alone is enough to break lesser men in politics.
Yet progress has been made.
Yes, there are still challenges. Yes, there are still areas where water may not be consistent every single day. But let us be honest, we live in a country affected by drought conditions, limited rainfall, and longstanding infrastructural issues that did not begin with him.
Despite that, the situation has improved, and it would be dishonest to suggest otherwise.
Criticism is easy. Context is harder.
What is even more telling is what has been achieved when compared to the past. What others failed to accomplish during their tenure between 2004 and 2009, Melford Nicholas has moved forward. Opportunities have been created. Jobs have been provided, not to a select circle, but across the board.
And still, the praise is scarce.
Instead, people reduce his political strength to “six votes,” as though that victory was insignificant.
Those six votes were not small.
They were decisive. They were critical. And without them, the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party may not be the government it is today. That margin did not just secure a seat, it helped secure a nation’s direction.
So let us stop trivializing it.
Within St. John’s City East itself, there must also be a level of accountability. Development is not a one-way street. While roads, infrastructure, and services are valid concerns, there is also a responsibility on residents to take pride in their surroundings.
You cannot neglect your yard and expect transformation overnight.
Leadership and community must work together.
Another point that cannot be ignored is his commitment to young people. Melford Nicholas has consistently shown a desire to see young men in his constituency rise, not just through words, but through opportunities and encouragement.
But opportunity alone is not enough.
If a young person does not want better for themselves, no politician, no matter how committed, can force that change. At some point, the responsibility must be shared.
Beyond the constituency, his work in Information, Broadcasting, and national development has also been evident. His contributions at the ministerial level have had visible impact, even while balancing the demands of his constituency.
That level of responsibility deserves acknowledgment.
And yet, instead of consistent support, there are those who choose to diminish, criticize without balance, and withhold credit even when it is clearly due.
That must stop.
Give the man his flowers now, while he is here, while he is working, while he is still carrying the weight.
Not after. Not when it is convenient. Not when it is too late.
Now.
Because leadership like this, steady, committed, and enduring, should not have to fight for recognition from its own.
It should be acknowledged.
It should be respected.
And it should be supported.
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When I was in Antigua as a kid, I always had water, but it was PM Lester Bird in charge at the time. Water was perfect. I went to Antigua in 2022, 2023 and 2024, there is no water available in the pipes that always had water from childhood until 2003.
Why is water a problem now under ABLP? What is going on with the management and operation under ABLP?
The writer who penned this diatribe should tarred and feathered. If according to you the disrespect is coming not only from outside but from within his own space what does that say to you. RESPECT is earned if you didn’t know. You said even though it’s just 6 votes it was not insignificant, anything earned by sleight of hand should be founded upon unless you yourself were in on the conspiracy. Are you feeling some kind of pressure and think the trick might not work this time around. People are always exposing their nakedness
Aht aht……. Melfod Ridiculous has one of the smaller if not the smallest constituencies with the simplest ministry and still acting Turtle like chups I don’t care wth yall can geh head suck up to them ministers….. hasta el fuego 🖕🖕
One big trupzzzz!!!
Give me a personal break!!!
🥱 yawnnnn.
No matter how hard you try, anything earned fraudulently can never be legitimized, and there is always a price to pay even among your own
You could never be a resident of city east and penned this nonsense. The absence of the representative speaks volumes and he is only present now because of the upcoming elections. He has failed the people of city east and even Stevie wonder can see who benefits from him. Give me an aspirin plz.
@Writer It would be awesome if these political writers would outline what the people they are writing about have done. Saying that someone did “a lot” or made “meaningful contributions” doesn’t say anything.
Please outline 3 things that he has actually done. Things that the people can clearly identify. Because, from where most of us sit, it seems like he hasn’t done a thing in the last 6 years.
All I see the ABLP candidates became millionaires in 12 years while the country healthcare, infrastructure and supply turned from fairly bad to worse. Why do you need another term to get richer while people continue to cry out for better infrastructure, healthcare services and constant water running through their pipes daily.
With respect, this is a very narrow and selective way of looking at things.
It’s easy to make broad claims about politicians “becoming millionaires,” but where is the evidence, and where is the balance? Water issues, infrastructure challenges, and service gaps did not begin in the last 12 years. These are long-standing national issues.
To suggest that nothing has improved is simply not accurate.
We live in a country that deals with drought conditions and increasing demand on already stretched systems.
Despite that, there have been efforts and improvements, even if they are not perfect.
Criticism is important, but it must be fair and grounded in reality. Dismissing everything as failure does not contribute to meaningful discussion or progress.
Sometimes, the work is not loud but that does not mean it is not being done.
Every election cycle we hearing about improvement, but residents still complaining about same issues. That’s why people skeptical.
people can write nonsense during elections
😅🤣🤣🤣😅🤣. It’s sympathy season. LMAO!!!
The six votes argument getting tired now. That was then. People want to know what happening NOW in the constituency.
Not everything is politics. Some of the criticism valid. Government ministers must be accountable, not protected from scrutiny.
In every Ministry & Statutory body a Gaston chief operator presides, no less in Melford APUA with the GBGM being the hand that switches on and off. Is not Maria alone under GB heavy manners! Dem others just don’t have blackeye because he can only tump woman!
I just don’t know why melford would write about himself giving himself praise under a different name and then go blog under a different name and answer itself?
MELFORD:WHAT HAS BECOME OF NUMBERS PORTABILITY? THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE IN EFFECT FOR YEARS NOW. AS OF TODAY ABSOLUTELY NOTHING,ALL TALK AND MORE TALKS.
I’m wondering if Melford wrote it himself. It reads very sentimental and only named meagre improvement in water supply as some of his work.
He’s been in office for 12 years! There’s no wonder that as you said, even his own is criticizing him!
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