The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has launched a comprehensive national initiative targeting environmental beautification and sanitation, following a detailed Cabinet review of current conditions. Senior managers from the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) presented a thorough assessment of public spaces, identifying critical issues requiring immediate intervention—including illegal dumping, litter accumulation, overgrown vegetation, and blocked drains.
In response, Cabinet has endorsed an intensified cleanup campaign, mobilizing and reassigning multiple teams to priority communities. Key activities include the removal of litter and bulky waste, clearing overgrown trees and shrubbery, cleaning drains and watercourses, and enhancing public spaces and road verges. The initiative will be implemented through a coordinated multi-agency approach involving the Beautification Division of the National Housing Development and Urban Renewal Company and the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA).
Cabinet emphasized that environmental management is a central governance priority, directly linked to public health, environmental sustainability, tourism appeal, and national security. Overgrown and derelict areas not only affect aesthetics but also pose safety risks, facilitate pest breeding, reduce roadway visibility, and can conceal illicit activities. As such, the effort is framed as both a preventive and restorative measure.
Residents, businesses, and community groups are urged to participate through proper waste disposal, property maintenance, and reporting illegal dumping. The government also plans to strengthen enforcement mechanisms to deter littering and non-compliance. The beautification drive will be executed in phases with ongoing monitoring to ensure lasting impact, reaffirming the nation’s commitment to remaining clean, safe, and welcoming for all.