In a recent parliamentary update, Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda has confirmed that final construction work is still progressing at the new permanent location for the Office of the Information Commissioner. The announcement came as Browne responded to two separate parliamentary questions regarding the office’s current location and expected completion date for its new facility.
According to Browne, he received a progress report from the Member of Parliament representing St. John’s City South, which confirmed that the new purpose-built facility is not yet fully finished. “I’m told that there’s still some work to be done on the building,” the prime minister told lawmakers during the session.
For the time being, the Office of the Information Commissioner will continue its operations out of its temporary accommodation at the Francis Trading building located on High Street in St. John’s. Browne did not share specific details about what work remains unfinished at the new site, nor did he outline an exact breakdown of construction costs or the scope of the remaining tasks.
When pressed by legislators on a clear timeline for when the new office will be ready for the Information Commissioner to fully occupy, Browne shared that the Attorney General has advised the office will be prepared within a six-month window. This six-month timeline aligns with his earlier confirmation that work is still ongoing at the current site, bringing clarity to lawmakers who have sought updates on the establishment of the long-awaited government office. No firm specific completion date was announced alongside the six-month target, leaving room for potential adjustments as construction progresses.