The Minister of National Security, the Hon. Sir Steadroy C.O. Benjamin, is appealing to members of the public to cooperate with authorities and comply with all traffic restrictions during the National Security Committee’s three-day CHOGM Security Exercise, which will take place from Wednesday, July 8 to Friday, July 10, 2026.
The exercise forms part of Antigua and Barbuda’s preparedness measures for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) and is designed to test the country’s security and emergency response capabilities.
Minister Benjamin advised that while the exercise will span three days, the greatest impact on vehicular traffic is expected on Wednesday, July 8, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and Friday, July 10, from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
During these periods, vehicular access will be prohibited within the designated Red Zone, which encompasses the area bounded by Newgate Street to the north, Corn Alley to the west, Parliament Drive to the east, and New Street to the south.
Motorists should also anticipate traffic disruptions along routes leading to the American University of Antigua (AUA), hotels located in the northern section of the island, as well as Sir George Walter Highway, Sir Sidney Walling Highway, Old Parham Road, and Friars Hill Road.
Wednesday’s operation has been designated a Soft Lockdown. During this phase, pedestrian movement will be permitted within the restricted area, with the exception of High Street. Traffic along Corn Alley will remain open; however, left turns onto adjoining restricted roads will not be permitted.
Persons who are not within the city before 8:00 a.m. are encouraged to utilize designated parking areas at the Antigua Recreation Grounds (ARG), Antigua Girls’ High School, Antigua Grammar School, and the St. John’s Cricket Grounds before proceeding on foot where necessary.
Government ministries and businesses located below Corn Alley will not be directly affected by the operation. Nevertheless, employees, business owners, and members of the public are encouraged to plan their travel in advance and allow additional time to reach their destinations.
The Minister expressed confidence that the exercise will strengthen the nation’s security preparedness and thanked the public in advance for their patience, understanding, and full cooperation throughout the operation.
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This goes without saying Attorney General Steadroy Benjamin.
All we Antiguans are hoping for, is that once these emergency security drills are completed for the CHOGM delegates, that you; Prime Minister Browne; or the leader-in-waiting, Chet ‘Strong Back’ Greene will make the same said security arrangements for Antiguans.
YOU KNOW IT MAKES SENSE…
WHAT THE HELL…! …NATIONAL SECURITY MINISTER…? …WRONG PICTURE ANR:…TOWN LOCKDOWN?: …MAGISTRATE’S COURT LOCKDOWN?: ,,,COMMERCIAL CENTRE LOCKDOWN:
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MOST IDIOTIC
Clearly the ‘…MOST IDIOTIC SECURITY-PLANNED EXERCISE’ IN THE CITY,’
SO, NOW: …APPARENT SHORT-SIGHTEDNESS: saw
(a) ‘…THE TOWN LOCKDOWN:
(b) …COMMERCIAL CENTRE LOCKDOWN:
(c) …MAGISTRATES COURTS LOCKDOWN:
(d) …WHEELS OF JUSTICE GROUND TO A HALT:
(e) …MAGISTRATES AND ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE ‘SENT ON HOLIDAYS: while
(f) …CITIZENS’ FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT HAVE BEEN SEVERELY RESTRICTED.’
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IN THE FIRST PLACE
(i) ‘…INTERNATIONAL EVENTS AS ‘COMMONWEALTH HEADS OF GOVERNMENT MEETING: of
(ii) …HIGH-POWERED DELEGATIONS: with
(iii) …HIGH PROFILE ATTENDEES: are
(a) ‘…NOT CONDUCTIBLE IN ‘…BUILDING-CONGESTED CITIES/TOWNS: as
(b) ..IT HAS LONG BEEN CONSIDERED MUCH TOO RISKY:
(c) …TOO CHALLENGING:
(d) …TOO TAXING ON RESOURCES -(Personnel/equipment): as
(e) …THERE SHALL BE ADEQUACY OF RESOURCES: for
(f) …SERVICE OF THE EVENT: and
(g) …SERVICE TO THE POPULACE:
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PARTICULARLY FOR THE EVENT: …REQUIREMENTS
(i) ‘…MANNED CHECK-POINTS (Protocol officers):
(ii) …SECURITY-TRAINED AND CONSCIOUS ORDERLIES/AIDES:
(iii) …MOBILE/STATIC ROUTE COVERAGE FOR ATTENDEES TO/FROM VENUE/LOCALE:
(iv) …TRAINED ARMED PERSONNEL FOR CORDONS (Outer-2: Inner-1):
(v) …IMMEDIATE VICINITY ‘…ROOF-TOP SNIPER TEAMS:
(vi) …HEAVY DUTY CRASH BARRIERS (Entry/Exit):
(vii) …IMMEDIATE VICINITY ‘…RESERVED PARKING’ (Security/Ambulance/Fire Services):
(vii) …EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATIONS APPARATUS (Mobile/otherwise).
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IMPORTANT FOR CITIZENS TO KNOW: ‘…WHO IS WHO (on national security council):
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MEMBERSHIP ON NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL (NSC)
(i) ‘…PRIME MINISTER GASTON BROWNE- MINISTER/CHAIRMAN:
(ii) …ATTORNEY GENERAL, SIR STEADROY ‘CUTIE’ BENJAMIN KGCN:
(iii) …BRIGADIER TELBERT BENJAMIN:
(iv) …COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, EVERTON JEFFERS KPM:
(v) …LIEUTENANT COLONEL EDWARD CROFT: and
(vi) …NSC ADVISER…???’
WERE THEY MERELY ‘…FIGUREHEADS? …CERTAININGLY NOT THE BRIGADIER.’
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FORMER ‘NSC ADVISERS:
(i) ‘…WRENFORD FERRENCE (deceased):
(ii) …ALEX VANDERPOOL (deceased): and
(iii) …SIR WRIGHT F. GEORGE KCN, CVO, QPM.’
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THE APPARENT HIGHT STREET VENUE FOR WHATEVER EVENT/S, SURE HAVE THE DECEASED ‘…TURNING IN THEIR GRAVES- (Papa and Lester and George and Selvin Walter),’ too.
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WHAT THE HELL…!
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WELL
Sometimes ‘PLANNING’ was: ‘…IDIOCY:
Sometimes ORGANIZING: …LUNACY:
Sometimes, too, it was: …EGOISTIC STUPIDITY.’
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PROFESSIONAL TRAINING SPEAKS:
‘…I.I.M.A.C ”
D/C WADE AND BRIGADE BENJAMIN UNDERSTAND THIS ‘ACRONYM,’
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WALK GOOD.
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