As political parties across Antigua and Barbuda ramp up campaign efforts ahead of the approaching national general election, Chairman of the ruling Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) E.P. Chet Greene has laid out a comprehensive portfolio of completed and planned development initiatives for the St. Paul’s constituency, framing the work as proof of consistent, long-term progress rather than last-minute electioneering.
At the core of the constituency’s recent gains are expanded public healthcare infrastructure, designed to reduce barriers to access for local residents. Greene confirmed that two upgraded healthcare facilities are now fully operational: a newly constructed primary care clinic in the community of Cobbs Cross, and a comprehensive renovation of an existing clinic elsewhere in St. Paul’s. “We have two very functional clinics in St. Paul’s, bringing healthcare services to a new level,” Greene shared in his remarks, emphasizing that the upgrades were structured to bring essential care directly closer to the communities that need it. Looking ahead, the ABLP has further plans to widen the scope of available services, adding specialized dental and vision care to the constituency’s public health offerings in coming months.
Beyond healthcare, the ABLP has prioritized youth development and workforce readiness through expanded education and vocational training opportunities. A key milestone in this effort is the nearing completion of a new technical training centre, which will offer programming across a range of practice-focused career tracks. One dedicated wing of the facility will provide professional training in beauty and skincare, while other sections will cover a broad spectrum of vocational skills aligned with local labour market demands.
This new centre complements existing training partnerships with larger post-secondary institutions across the country, including the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus, where dozens of St. Paul’s residents are already enrolled in skills-building programs. “We have about 30 students on short courses… and others in longer programmes,” Greene noted, adding that youth empowerment and accessible education remain non-negotiable pillars of the constituency’s long-term growth strategy.
The ABLP’s development agenda for St. Paul’s also includes targeted expansion of affordable housing, with Greene confirming that new parcels of land will soon be opened up for residential development to accommodate the constituency’s growing population. Complementary infrastructure upgrades, including improved emergency response facilities, are also in the works to support the area’s expanding population and growing local economic activity.
Greene took explicit care to distinguish the ABLP’s ongoing work from pre-election campaign promises, stressing that consistent progress in St. Paul’s has been a years-long priority rather than a temporary push for votes. “While others campaign, I maintain,” he said, emphasizing his administration’s sustained presence and on-the-ground engagement with constituents throughout his tenure. The rollout of the constituency’s development record comes as the ABLP works to highlight its delivery track record across all electoral districts ahead of the upcoming vote.