The government has unveiled a $100 million road construction programme, to be funded by a recent 40% increase in vehicle licensing fees.
Speaking in Parliament, Prime Minister Gaston Browne confirmed that local contractors will be engaged through a competitive bidding process. While not a full open tender, bids will be required for different project sections, with the Ministry of Public Works selecting the best offers based on value.
The initiative, one of the largest in recent years, aims to ensure transparency through several layers of oversight. Quantity surveyors will assess construction costs, while the lending bank is expected to appoint an independent contractor and external evaluators.
An oversight committee, chaired by Financial Secretary Rasona Davis-Crump, was formed six weeks ago to monitor the programme and guard against mismanagement.
The announcement followed questions in Parliament from UPP MP Richard Lewis.
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I personally believe the reason we keep getting shitty roads is not necessarily because of incompetence but that there are always kick backs, and the corruption keeps costing the people of this country and we just allow it to go on. Thr people in office do not give one damn because the money is not coming from their pockets, it’s the ordinary blo joe who feels it
@man from point.
Well said.
Antiguan’s are paying some hefty taxes to live in their own country. I’m not saying that anything should be free, but my goodness me with this expensive arse administration.
Sometimes I really don’t know how people even afford to live good on this island with such a low median income.
I know Gatson Browne would say that Antigua has better income than the average island, but when over 50% of your earnings are going to just the upkeep of the average household, how can the working man even take a vacation from their hard work?
But hey, you nail it on the head.
Choosing the right contractor for the job shouldn’t just be based on cost. Procurement is so much more than that. Quality of work, cost of maintenance etc must be part of the deciding factor.
The contractors have already been selected. This is just a gimmick
As a contractor in Antigua and Barbuda, I have serious reservations about the government’s recent announcement regarding the $100 million road construction initiative. While the investment in infrastructure is crucial, the decision to fund it through a significant hike in vehicle licensing fees feels more like a burden on the already struggling citizens rather than a thoughtful approach to development.
Moreover, while I appreciate the emphasis on involving local contractors, the promise of a competitive bidding process raises concerns. Remember we have been living here for a long time and we know how it go here . In practice, we often see larger firms dominate these projects, leaving smaller, local builders like myself at a disadvantage. If the government truly wants to support local businesses, it should ensure that the bidding process is transparent and accessible, with a clear commitment to prioritizing local expertise and labor. Don’t say we aren’t speaking the truth.
Finally, the timeline and oversight of such a massive initiative need careful consideration. In Antigua and Barbuda, we’ve seen too many infrastructure projects in the past suffer from delays and budget overruns.
It’s important right now, that the government not only prioritizes local contractors but also maintains rigorous standards for project management and accountability throughout the entire process. Otherwise, this initiative risks becoming another missed opportunity for real, lasting development in our community.
As long as the work is exceptionally
done, is inspected every step of the way, and the money does indeed go to building these roads because we are sorely in need of excellent roadways throughout the nation.
Another ‘big project’ announcement with no clear plan. Watch the money disappear and the roads stay the same.
Using local contractors is a win-win. we fix the roads and keep the money circulating in the economy.
It would be good if contractors collaborate on such a project. Too many foreigners are part and parcel to these major projects and our contractors who are very knowledgeable gets the little bits and pieces
Local contractors? Is it that public works don’t have a say in the road fixing?
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