After formally completing the handover of the 150-unit Pelican Court housing development to the government of Antigua and Barbuda, the Chinese construction team has made a public commitment to provide long-term technical assistance and maintenance services for the project. The development was fully funded by an approximately EC$50 million grant from China, built to replace the aging informal Booby Alley settlement in western St. John’s.
At the official handover ceremony held on Thursday, a senior representative from the Chinese project team emphasized that the transfer of ownership does not mark the conclusion of their involvement, but rather the start of a new phase of partnership. “This handover marks not the end, but a new beginning,” the representative stated, adding that the ongoing support is designed to ensure the residential units remain safe, comfortable, and habitable for residents over the coming years. However, the team has not yet released detailed specifications for the post-handover services, including the duration of the support, the specific scope of maintenance work covered, or the formal process for residents to request assistance.
The construction representative also noted that the project team overcame a series of significant obstacles during development, including challenging site topography, delays in cross-border material shipments, and disruptions from adverse local weather conditions. Throughout the entire construction process, the team strictly adhered to international standards and all regulatory requirements for China’s foreign aid projects, the representative added.
In an exclusive interview with Antigua and Barbuda Broadcasting Service (ABS), project representative Tang Weiwei shared details on the project’s workforce and capacity-building efforts. Tang explained that the construction phase involved 169 Chinese personnel alongside more than 20 local workers. To strengthen local capability, the two work groups conducted regular knowledge exchanges and organized targeted training sessions, walking local workers through the project’s specialized equipment and long-term maintenance protocols.
With the handover complete, the Antigua and Barbuda government is now moving forward with preparations to welcome new residents into the nine-building housing complex. Prime Minister Gaston Browne announced that a facility manager has already been appointed to oversee daily operations, and noted that residents will be required to pay a monthly condominium maintenance fee to support ongoing upkeep. While Browne suggested a potential figure of $50 per month, no final amount has been formally announced.
Ambassador Clarence Pilgrim, project chairman, also emphasized that clear maintenance protocols, transparent financial and operational management, and cooperative neighbour relations will all be critical to preserving Pelican Court as a durable national asset for Antigua and Barbuda.