标签： Antigua and Barbuda

Residents and commuters in Antigua are advised to prepare for temporary disruptions as C.O. Williams (Antigua) Limited undertakes essential road repairs on Valley Road North. The maintenance work, scheduled to begin on Tuesday, 7 October 2025, will continue throughout the week, affecting the stretch from Jolly Harbour to Antigua State College. During this period, single-lane traffic will be enforced daily from 8 am to 6 pm, potentially causing delays and inconvenience. Motorists are urged to adhere to traffic signs and follow the guidance of flag persons to ensure smooth navigation. Two-way traffic will be restored each night to minimize disruption. The repairs are part of the Second Road Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project, a government initiative aimed at enhancing road quality across Antigua and Barbuda. C.O. Williams has expressed regret for any inconvenience caused and encourages queries to be directed to their Project Office at 562-9573. This project underscores the government’s commitment to improving public infrastructure for the benefit of all citizens.

The Ministry of Works’ Project Implementation Management Unit (PIMU) has announced the implementation of single-lane traffic on Valley Road North and Anchorage Road to facilitate critical infrastructure repairs. The temporary traffic arrangement, effective daily from 8:00 a.m., is part of the Second Road Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project undertaken by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda. On Valley Road North, the work includes road markings, drainage systems, headwalls, concrete swales, and asphalt repairs. Similarly, Anchorage Road will see the completion of road markings, drainage, and sidewalks. Flag persons will be stationed to guide motorists, ensuring safe passage amidst heavy-duty equipment operations. While the repairs may cause delays, all businesses in the area remain open. C.O. Williams Ltd., the contractor overseeing the project, has expressed regret for any inconvenience caused and urges stakeholders to adjust their travel plans accordingly. The initiative underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing road infrastructure for improved safety and efficiency.

Authorities and family members are urgently seeking the public’s help in locating Dejahnique Charles, a teenager from Barnes Hill who has been reported missing. According to reports, Dejahnique left her home at approximately 1:40 p.m. on Saturday to attend the Mega Bounce event. While she was seen at the venue, she has not returned home since.

In a distressing turn of events, two separate suicide attempts were reported in Freetown and Ottos on Saturday, prompting police investigations and urgent medical interventions. The incidents, occurring hours apart, involved a woman from Freetown and a man from Ottos, both of whom are now recovering at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced a significant upgrade to Antigua and Barbuda’s water infrastructure, with plans to increase daily water production by an additional two million gallons. This initiative aims to strengthen the nation’s water resilience and ensure a reliable supply throughout the year. Speaking on the Browne and Browne Show on Pointe FM, Browne revealed that the expansion will be achieved through the construction and upgrading of reverse osmosis (RO) plants, including facilities at Barnacle Point and Bethesda. ‘We’re adding another two million gallons of water per day,’ Browne stated. ‘We’ve already addressed water shortages; now, we’re building redundancy to maintain system reliability.’ The prime minister emphasized that the government’s goal extends beyond meeting current demand. Instead, the focus is on creating a robust system capable of sustaining production even during plant maintenance or drought conditions. ‘We’re not just meeting demand — we’re getting ahead of it,’ Browne explained. ‘The aim is to ensure that even if one plant goes down, there’s no disruption.’ This investment is part of a broader strategy to enhance national infrastructure resilience, complementing ongoing efforts to improve roads, electricity supply, and public facilities. The additional production capacity will elevate Antigua and Barbuda’s total water output well above domestic and commercial needs, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s long-standing battle against water scarcity. Browne described this development as ‘a turning point’ in the nation’s journey toward water security.

The Consulate General of the Dominican Republic in Antigua and Barbuda has expressed profound grief over the untimely death of Michael Alexander Garcia, a 23-year-old Dominican national who tragically lost his life in a workplace accident on Saturday. Garcia, a dedicated farm worker and father to a three-year-old child, reportedly fell from the roof of a building on a farm in the Diamond Estate area near Potworks Dam at approximately 4:30 p.m. He sustained severe head injuries and was discovered by emergency medical personnel lying in a pool of blood. Despite the immediate efforts of Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians and subsequent medical intervention at Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, Garcia was pronounced dead. In a statement issued on Sunday, Hon. Joaquín Díaz López, the Consul General, conveyed deep sorrow over the incident, describing it as a tragic loss for the Dominican community. The Consulate has instructed Huascar Félix, Director of the Consular Cabinet, to collaborate with local authorities to ensure the victim’s family receives the necessary support and assistance. The Consulate’s message has deeply resonated within Antigua and Barbuda’s growing Hispanic community, many of whom gathered outside the hospital on Saturday evening to mourn Garcia’s passing. Meanwhile, the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal fall. Tributes continue to pour in for Garcia, who is remembered by his peers as a hardworking, kind, and well-liked individual.