分类： society

As the development of the long-awaited new Performing Arts Centre enters a critical, more labor-intensive construction phase, local authorities have rolled out an immediate permanent parking ban along a designated stretch of High Street. The regulation, which took effect as soon as it was announced, covers the portion of High Street stretching between Cross Street and Temple Street, according to Maurice Merchant, Director General of Communications.

Merchant made the announcement public during the post-Cabinet media briefing held this past Friday, outlining the core rationale behind the new restriction. The primary goal of the parking prohibition is to streamline access for heavy construction vehicles deployed for the project and cut down on chronic traffic bottlenecks that have slowed work progress in the recent weeks. He explained that construction teams have repeatedly faced logistical challenges when navigating large trucks and oversized equipment through the corridor, as parked passenger vehicles have often narrowed the usable roadway to an unsafe, impractical width.

The zone affected by the ban encompasses the entire perimeter of the Performing Arts Centre construction site and extends close to a cluster of local retail and service businesses. Merchant noted that cement mixers, heavy haulers and other large work trucks enter and exit the site on an almost constant basis to keep the build on schedule. This high volume of heavy traffic creates an urgent need to keep the entire stretch of roadway clear of parked vehicles at all times.

The new parking rule was finalized after coordinated discussions between project leaders and the local Traffic Department, timed to align with the ramping up of construction activity on the facility. Government officials have issued a public advisory urging all motorists who plan to visit the area for work, shopping or personal business to plan ahead and secure alternative parking arrangements off the affected stretch of High Street.

Currently, the Performing Arts Centre stands as one of the government’s highest-profile major infrastructure projects underway in St. John’s, expected to deliver a new state-of-the-art venue for cultural and artistic events once completed.

The government of Antigua and Barbuda is moving forward with a broad push to expand accessible preschool services across the twin-island nation, with a plan to develop two brand-new early childhood education centres at key locations. Details of the initiative were shared publicly following Friday’s weekly post-Cabinet media briefing, where officials outlined that Education Minister Daryll Matthew had presented the proposal to the Cabinet prior to its approval. The two new facilities are earmarked for the Judges Hill/New Winthorpes region and the Jennings community, respectively, filling gaps in local access to early learning opportunities. Alongside greenlighting the new construction projects, Cabinet also approved a move to bring the Sir Luther Winter Preschool under full government operation. Established more than five decades ago by the late Dame Idris Bird, the institution has been a cornerstone of local early childhood education for generations, and the transition is expected to secure its long-term stability and service to the community. Government spokespeople emphasized that the addition of the two new centres will reinforce the nation’s existing early childhood education network, creating more supportive, safe learning spaces for children during their critical developmental years. Collectively, these initiatives are framed as a reflection of the current administration’s sustained commitment to investing in education at all levels, with a particular focus on expanding equitable access to high-quality preschool services for families across every part of Antigua and Barbuda. At the time of the briefing, officials did not release a concrete timeline for the construction of the new centres or their expected opening dates, leaving communities to await further updates on the rollout of the expansion plan.

In a public letter that has sparked community discussion, an concerned stakeholder has put forward pressing questions about the fate of allocated graduation funds earmarked for Antigua Girls’ High School’s upcoming commencement ceremony.

The correspondence, which began circulating among parents, alumni, and local education circles in recent days, highlights a lack of public transparency around how the money collected and budgeted for this annual milestone event is being managed. No official breakdown of expenses — from venue rental and ceremonial materials to student refreshments and commemorative items — has been released to the school community ahead of this year’s graduation, prompting growing uncertainty and calls for accountability.

Graduation ceremonies hold deep cultural and personal significance for the students of Antigua Girls’ High School, marking the culmination of years of hard work for graduating cohorts and their families. Many community members note that the funds in question are often raised through a combination of student contributions, school budget allocations, and small community donations, meaning the money is ultimately intended to serve the graduating class directly.

As of the publication of this letter, school administrators have not yet issued an official response addressing the questions raised about the fund tracking, expenditure reporting, or current status of the graduation budget. The letter’s sender has reiterated that their goal is not to cast blame, but to push for clearer financial oversight that aligns with public expectations for educational institutions that manage community and student funds. Local parents and alumni organizations are now awaiting a formal statement from the school’s leadership to clarify the situation.

Residential and commercial electricity customers across Antigua will face higher monthly bills starting in June, following a recent rate adjustment announced by the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA). The region’s top public utility regulator has lifted the fuel variation charge from 70 cents to 80 cents per kilowatt-hour, marking a 10-cent uptick from the rate applied in May.

Official data published by APUA outlines the recent trajectory of this variable charge: for both March and April, the rate held steady at 55 cents per kilowatt-hour, before the first 15-cent increase in May that preceded this latest adjustment. Unlike fixed components of electricity pricing, the fuel variation charge is a pass-through cost that fluctuates in line with shifting global market conditions, APUA explained. This specific rate directly tracks the international market price of the fuel used to power Antigua’s electricity generation facilities, so any global volatility in fuel costs is reflected in adjusted monthly rates.

To help customers mitigate the impact of higher rates on their monthly budgets, the authority has issued a public call for increased energy consciousness. APUA is encouraging all users to closely track their household and workplace energy consumption, and adopt consistent energy-efficient habits to bring down overall usage and keep monthly bills more manageable.

As a core line item included in every customer’s electricity statement, the fuel variation charge is structured to pass changes in power generation fuel costs directly to end users, rather than being absorbed by the utility. This pricing model ensures that the actual cost of producing power is aligned with what customers pay, adjusting automatically as global energy markets shift.

On the day of Sir Aziz Hadeed’s official funeral, family and community gathered at Holy Family Cathedral to lay to rest one of Antigua and Barbuda’s most respected figures, who passed away on May 23. Speaking on behalf of the entire Hadeed family, Francis Hadeed delivered a moving tribute that painted a portrait of the late leader far beyond his well-documented business successes.

For Francis and his brother Andrew, Sir Aziz was never just an uncle. Decades of working side-by-side alongside him turned him into a father figure, a lifelong mentor, a trusted guide, and a close personal friend. The lessons he imparted during those years remain rooted in the Hadeed family’s values, and will continue to shape generations to come.

One of Sir Aziz’s core business principles, Francis recalled, was that every customer deserves equal care and respect, no matter their social background or economic standing. He also believed firmly that any family member joining the business must earn their position through hard work, rather than expecting preferential treatment simply because of their last name. “When Andrew and I joined the business, we did not get any special privileges,” Francis shared. “We both started on the showroom floor learning the business from the ground up.”

Beyond boardrooms and showroom floors, Sir Aziz leaves a legacy of quiet generosity. Francis noted that throughout his lifetime, his uncle supported hundreds of individuals and families across the country, never seeking public recognition or praise for his good deeds. The overwhelming wave of public sympathy and support that has poured in since his death, Francis argued, is a testament to the deep respect and admiration Sir Aziz earned across every corner of Antigua and Barbuda.

Reflecting on his decades-long personal relationship with his uncle, Francis called Sir Aziz one of the greatest men he has ever had the honor of knowing. He credited Sir Aziz’s mentorship, steady guidance, and loyal friendship for shaping both his personal life and professional career into what they are today.

In closing his tribute, Francis pledged that the entire Hadeed family would continue to uphold the core values and principles that guided Sir Aziz through his entire life. “We will carry forward the lessons you taught us, uphold the standards you set and ensure future generations understand and appreciate the foundation you worked so hard to build,” he said. Following the funeral service at the cathedral, Sir Aziz was laid to rest, with family members affirming that his legacy will live on through the businesses he built, the institutions he supported, and the countless lives he touched over his lifetime.

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua — Hundreds gathered at Holy Family Cathedral on Saturday for the official funeral of Sir Aziz Hadeed, one of Antigua and Barbuda’s most decorated public figures, where Prime Minister Gaston Browne paid tribute to a life defined by far more than corporate achievement. In a moving address to mourners, Browne framed Sir Aziz’s legacy as one rooted in lifelong generosity, dedicated public service and unwavering commitment to advancing the development of his adopted homeland.

“We gather today to mourn the passing of one of our nation’s most exceptional citizens, a man whose entire life embodied the values of grit, entrepreneurial vision, charity, faith and patriotic devotion,” Browne told the assembled congregation. The prime minister recalled attending the iconic community leader’s 79th birthday celebration just a few months prior, noting that the announcement of Sir Aziz’s death on May 23 came as a sudden, devastating shock to the country.

Browne walked attendees through Sir Aziz’s remarkable life journey: the young boy who left his native Syria as a child, arrived in Antigua and Barbuda with limited fluency in English, and worked alongside his family to grow a small local trade operation into one of the nation’s largest and most successful business conglomerates. But the prime minister emphasized that Sir Aziz’s impact stretched far beyond the boardroom.

“His legacy extends far beyond his business success,” Browne said. “He understood that true achievement carries with it a responsibility to lift up those around you and serve the broader community.”

Throughout his decades in Antigua and Barbuda, Sir Aziz was a quiet but consistent supporter of ordinary individuals, struggling families, local churches, educational institutions and a wide range of charitable initiatives, Browne recalled. Far from seeking public recognition for his giving, most of his philanthropic work went unannounced and unacknowledged outside of the communities he helped.

Beyond his private charity and business work, Sir Aziz made significant contributions to the nation’s public life. He served as a government minister and later took on the role of chairman of the Council of the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus, helping to shape higher education opportunities for generations of Antiguans and Barbudans.

Browne remembered Sir Aziz as a unifying figure across the country, describing him as “friend of all, enemy of none” who treated every person he met with equal dignity and respect, no matter their social standing or background. The prime minister also used the occasion of the funeral to highlight the outsized contribution of immigrant communities to Antigua and Barbuda’s growth and prosperity. Though Sir Aziz remained proud of his Syrian heritage throughout his life, he dedicated nearly his entire life to advancing the prosperity of the country he called home.

“Today we celebrate a life well lived,” Browne said. “A dedicated person who was dedicated to enterprise, service, generosity and nation building.”

After offering formal condolences to Sir Aziz’s loved ones, the prime minister affirmed that the late leader’s legacy will endure long after his passing: through the thriving businesses he built, the public institutions he helped strengthen, and the countless individual lives he improved through his kindness and generosity. Knighted earlier in 2025 in recognition of his contributions to national development, education, philanthropy and public service, Sir Aziz was laid to rest following the funeral service.

Bendals Primary School in Antigua is on track to receive a critical infrastructure upgrade, after local chapter of Junior Chamber International (JCI) Antigua announced a donation of large-capacity water tanks that will boost the institution’s water storage capabilities for students and staff. This charitable contribution is the latest delivery under JCI Antigua’s long-running Adopt-A-School Initiative, a community-focused program designed to support local educational facilities through hands-on problem solving and collaborative civic engagement projects. The project was led by JCI Antigua’s Youth Empowerment Committee, and the new water tanks were officially handed over to the school during a small, formal ceremony attended by organization leaders, school administration, and students. During the handover event, JCI Antigua President Collet Gordon shared special words of goodwill with Bendals Primary School students who are preparing to sit their upcoming Common Entrance Examinations. Gordon urged the candidates to approach this key academic milestone with calm confidence and steady determination, reminding them of their hard work in the lead-up to the test. Jawan Jackson, Chairman of the Youth Empowerment Committee, also offered encouragement to the student body, stressing that accessible educational resources, consistent personal perseverance, and active community support are all foundational to helping young people reach their full potential. After receiving the donation, the Principal of Bendals Primary School extended deep gratitude to JCI Antigua for the contribution, noting that the new water tanks will fill a long-unmet practical need at the school and serve as a valuable long-term resource for the entire school community. The Principal also highlighted the organization’s consistent commitment to investing in the overall well-being and academic development of Antiguan students, and welcomed the ongoing partnership. This water tank donation aligns with JCI Antigua’s core organizational mission, which centers on driving measurable positive change across the country through sustainable, community-led initiatives. Through the Adopt-A-School Programme, JCI Antigua has built ongoing partnerships with educational institutions across Antigua and Barbuda, prioritizing solutions to locally identified infrastructure and resource gaps while creating opportunities for young community leaders to build deeper connections with the neighborhoods they serve. As one more completed project in JCI Antigua’s years-long push to support local education, the donation marks another meaningful contribution to national development, carried out through intentional service and civic participation.