Political tensions are escalating in Antigua and Barbuda as Harold Lovell, the United Progressive Party (UPP) candidate for All Saints West, has launched a substantive critique against the government’s management of a $100 million road rehabilitation initiative. During a recent appearance on Observer Radio’s ‘Night at Night’ program, Lovell articulated deep concerns regarding the program’s execution and financial transparency.
Lovell’s scrutiny emerged in response to mounting complaints from constituents about the persistently poor condition of community roads throughout the region. The opposition figure challenged the administration’s claims of massive financial investment, noting a significant disparity between the reported $100 million allocation and the observable deterioration of residential thoroughfares. “We hear that they have a hundred million to spend,” Lovell stated, “yet many residential roads remain in unacceptable condition.”
The politician further accused the government of prioritizing cosmetic improvements on major highways and highly visible corridors while neglecting village and inner-community infrastructure. Lovell emphasized that the core issue extends beyond sporadic repairs to encompass what he characterized as a fundamental absence of comprehensive, long-term infrastructure planning. “There’s no plan,” he asserted, describing the current approach as piecemeal rather than strategically structured.
Adding another dimension to his critique, Lovell raised serious questions about the transparency of contract awarding processes within the rehabilitation program. While acknowledging he lacked specific contractual evidence, Lovell maintained that the perceived irregularities in procurement procedures have generated substantial public skepticism regarding governmental accountability.
The current administration has consistently defended its infrastructure investments, highlighting the necessity of addressing longstanding transportation challenges and modernizing the island’s road network. However, Lovell has reframed the discussion as a matter of national accountability, insisting that substantial public expenditures must be governed by strategic planning and rigorous oversight mechanisms.
These developments occur against a backdrop of intensified political activity preceding an anticipated by-election, with infrastructure management rapidly emerging as a pivotal issue in public discourse.