Prime Minister Gaston Browne disclosed on Saturday that under the leadership of the Director of Public Works essential equipment ordered for road repairs was mistakenly delivered to the wrong address, in an unnamed country.
Speaking on Pointe FM, Browne expressed frustration over the delay, which has further stalled critical infrastructure improvements across Antigua and Barbuda.
The Prime Minister detailed the incident during his radio appearance, noting that the Director of Public Works, Alden Crump, had assured the Cabinet that vital road-cutting saws had been ordered to facilitate repairs, particularly in areas plagued by persistent potholes, such as Bay Street and Fort Road. However, it was later discovered that the equipment had been sent to an incorrect address, adding to the long-standing delays.
“I called the Cabinet Secretary and asked, ‘Could it be that maybe they sent it to the wrong address?’ And that’s exactly what happened,” Browne explained on air, highlighting that the equipment was ordered from the United States but did not arrive as expected.
This logistical setback is part of a larger pattern of inefficiencies within the Public Works Department, according to Browne, who voiced concerns about the department’s responsiveness and accountability.
He mentioned that despite securing funds and providing resources, the anticipated repairs and upgrades have not materialized. “Some senior officials seem more concerned with gaming the system than delivering results for the public,” he remarked, expressing disappointment in the lack of urgency from certain officials.
Browne’s statements on Pointe FM underscore his administration’s commitment to holding public servants accountable, particularly when taxpayer resources are at stake. He issued a 60-day ultimatum to Crump and his team, demanding substantial progress in addressing infrastructure needs and warning of potential administrative changes if performance does not improve.
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Dats it!!! HOLD DEM ACCOUNTABLE!! it’s about time awe good tax money stop go inna dem pockets!!
There are floor saws on island, they are used to cut expansion gaps in concrete slabs. I would even suggest they could be rented. You can precut asphalt up to a week in advance of breaking them out with pneumatic tools, undoubtedly longer for larger holes that cannot be driven over. One days rental could provide at least a week of work for a patching crew.
If they were sent to the wrong country, they’d be sat in customs, unless dispatched inside the US.the size and weight would suggest coming on a ship, as only amerijet could process something that large. I would imagine shipping would need to be arranged by the purchaser, so it would be a dispute with the freight forwarder.
Could it be that the machinery was sent to Guatemala? That country has the address Antigua there.
I speak from the experience of having had a lady arrive here from Bolivia whose intended address was Antigua, Guatemala but the agency she booked with routed her here to Antigua. She was supposed to have been attending a one day conference there. Needless to say, her entire trip was a disaster as she had to wait another 12 hours to get re-routed back to Bolivia, completely missing her conference.
“Road Repair Machines for Public Works sent to the wrong country …”
That’s a good one Prime Minister Browne; and the sad indictment of this utter tripe and nonsensical verbiage, is that many gullible and easily lead Antiguans believe his claptrap!
Which begs the question once again:
Has road repair machines been sent to OTHER countries in the last two terms of Gaston Browne’s tenure?
GASTON “GASLIGHTING” ANTIGUANS AS ALWAYS
If our road infrastructures wasn’t in such a mess, this would be laughable …
Custom officer the Top Dawg ate my Bill of Laden and it can only be recovered when he’s finished spewing 🐂💩. So he says to let Jaguar through without any paperwork.
Many people read this and responded ” ahh ok” and moved on with their day. While the others who know about purchasing internationally and how the system works to have large items landed in a country calls utter rubbish!
Excuse # 42 to cover the fact that Maria Browne is not managing her departments.
Blame it on her, not Crump!
This man is a real spin artist a tell yah.. 🤣..this man is covering for his inept wife, the same wife who wasted the people money planting 400 palm trees..
What a bloody 🤣.
This man have more excuses than what John could read about.
Call a spade a spade Gatson.
Your wife doesn’t have a clue what she’s doing.. 😂.
But at least I can’t say that you’re not a good husband at least..protecting her to the T.
😂.
The cutting bars were shipped elsewhere. Lie , you hear lie.The Dawg ate my home work.That Pig Meat Radio Station with the Biltmore Hotel. Gaston Browne will become your Waterloo.