Senator Michael Joseph Commits to Long-Awaited Drainage Fix in Rural West
Senator Michael Joseph has pledged to deliver a permanent solution to the persistent flooding at Big Gutter in St. John’s Rural West, marking a significant step toward resolving a problem that has plagued the area for more than three decades.
Speaking at an Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) rally on Friday night, Joseph revealed that an engineering study had already been commissioned to assess the situation, with a follow-up expected in July to finalise a sustainable plan.
“For 30 years, Big Gutter has flooded—and for 30 years, there has been no real solution,” he told the crowd. “That’s changing now. We’ve done the first study, and in July, the engineers will return to complete a comprehensive assessment that will lead to long-term results.”
Joseph, who serves as caretaker for St. John’s Rural West and Minister of State, said the drainage upgrade was part of a broader plan to improve water management and infrastructure across the constituency.
“We’re not just talking about Big Gutter. We’re reviewing every drain in Rural West that can no longer handle the volume of water,” he said. “We’re developing a plan to rebuild and modernise the entire system.”
He criticised previous opposition representation for failing to act despite the long-standing nature of the issue, arguing that residents had been given excuses instead of solutions.
“We’re not here to say we can’t act because we’re not in government,” Joseph said. “We’re here to deliver, and we’re asking the people to hold us accountable.”
The announcement formed part of a wider appeal for support as the ABLP gears up for the next general election. Joseph, who entered frontline politics after two decades of volunteer work with the Red Cross, framed his candidacy as a commitment to tangible, people-centred progress.
“The solutions are coming,” he said. “And this time, we’re not waiting years—we’re acting now.”
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It is sad that people will still gall for this political crap. Why the drain hasn’t been fixed? Why ypu want to use it as a political tool to garner support? When would my people wake up and see politics is just a game?
Never…… so so sad
Many drains were fixed but never been maintained and was abused.
Anyway his party is in power with the responsibility to upkeep the infrastructure so it’s expected he will get it sorted
It is sad that supposedly intellignet people can make asses out of themselves.
So this has been a long awaited project?
Which governmet has been in power for the past 11 years?
Which government are you affiliated with?
Why hasn’t the project come to fruition?
How many of the past 11 years has Richard Lewis been the representative?
Even if Richard Lewis was the representative for the past 11 years which government has had control of the state’s purse?
So are you expecting Richard Lewis.to do it out of his pocket?
Well since you want to dethrone Richard Lewis why don’t you pull out your cheque’s book and have it done?
When you do we want to see the cheque stubs.
You are not goinh to use the treasury and claim the credit.
Richard Lewis has given more to his constituency in three years than any parliamentary representative except Asot.
So please try to diminish the work thay Richard Lewis has done, is doing and will continue to do.
So stop making yourself an ASS. Stop trying to fool the people of Grays Farm for political power.
Do you realise that your fight is to get in bed with a gang of corrupt men?
Then again you were before the court in recent years.
All of that is part of the philosophy of ALP.
Birds of a feather will alwys flock together.
Cal.on.your governmet to do what is eeded in the constituency irrespective of who the representatibe is.
I am.sure.tou.remembr Gaston’s words thay.co stiruencies whicj.rejexted him.ahoukd.fall.at the bak.of.the line.
Is that the representation that y I y approve of?
Grays farm has been neglected for the past 50 years and no Government doing crap to improve the place , bare promises and tit for tat . You in power fix the dam thing .These so called Min-Easter travel the developed world and see how the place being taken care of and still come back here and have big talks with no substance. Grays farm run down from die kingdom come .
Eg.1.Check the pavement to walk on by Grays farm dental clinic to green bay primary school.
2. Sidewalks break up.
3.No proper road markings and signs.
4. Parking on the side of the roads making it one way in such busy area.
5. Poor drainage.
6. Poor road works.
7. No maintainance for side streets.
8. No proper lighting for the streets.
9. Stink water build up in drains.
10.Grays farm cling and police station run down big time .
11. No bus stops ahead.
12. Vending on sidewalks.
13. Debris and old cars everywhere .
14. Poor water distribution.
15. No jobs creations for the youths in the village .
16. Poor and deplorable state of granny houses in village.
17. Overgrown tress .
18. No timely disposals of debris.
19. Long waiting at the clinics .
20. Seems like the Ham & Turkey thing working for the people each year .