The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has officially designated Nelson’s Dockyard National Park as a Noise Abatement Zone under the Noise Abatement Act of 1996. This landmark decision, set to take effect on November 15, 2025, underscores the nation’s dedication to safeguarding the cultural and residential integrity of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The move aims to balance the needs of residents, visitors, and businesses while ensuring the preservation of the Park’s unique character and high-end tourism appeal. Key regulations include prohibiting noise that causes annoyance to others, requiring loud music to cease by midnight, and mandating all music to stop by 1:00 AM. Activities extending beyond this time will require a special permit. This initiative reflects a broader commitment to sustainable tourism and heritage protection, encouraging collective efforts to maintain the Dockyard’s charm for future generations. #NelsonsDockyard #NoiseAbatementZone #NationalParks #UNESCO #AntiguaAndBarbuda #SustainableTourism #HeritageProtection
标签： Antigua and Barbuda
安提瓜和巴布达
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Liberty Latin America and Liberty Caribbean Foundation Deliver Critical Humanitarian Aid to Jamaica Following Hurricane Melissa
In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s catastrophic impact, Liberty Latin America Ltd., in collaboration with the Liberty Caribbean Foundation, has swiftly mobilized to deliver critical humanitarian and technical aid to Jamaica. Within just 48 hours of the disaster, a chartered X-Cargo A321 aircraft transported essential supplies, including potable water, non-perishable food, hygiene products, flashlights, residential generators, and vital network restoration equipment to Kingston. This rapid response was made possible through the concerted efforts of partners such as Wesco-Anixter, EFL, IBC Airways – GlobalX, Starlink, Digicomm, Tarana, and Viavi. Aamir Hussain, Chief Technology and Product Officer at Liberty Latin America, expressed deep gratitude for their invaluable contributions. Upon arrival in Kingston, Flow Jamaica’s local operations team immediately began distributing supplies to the most severely affected communities. Stephen Price, Vice President and General Manager of Flow Jamaica, highlighted the seamless coordination between the Miami-based Liberty Latin America and Liberty Caribbean teams, which served as a secondary command center. The Liberty Caribbean Foundation is now urging the public and corporate partners to bolster relief efforts through donations, which will fund food, water, emergency kits, connectivity services, and long-term recovery programs. Contributions can be made securely online at the Liberty Caribbean Foundation’s hurricane relief page. Liberty Latin America, a leading communications company operating across Latin America and the Caribbean, continues to leverage its extensive network and resources to support disaster-stricken communities.
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LETTER: When Friendship and Money Collide: A Costly Lesson in Trust
Dear Editor,
Trust is a fragile bond, often tested in unexpected ways. Recently, I experienced a situation that shattered my faith in someone I once considered my closest confidante.
A few weeks ago, my best friend requested $100 for lunch. While driving, I used ACB’s peer-to-peer transfer feature on my phone to send the amount. In my haste, I mistakenly added an extra zero, resulting in a $1,000 transfer instead of $100. Realizing my error, I immediately informed her. She laughed and assured me she would return the excess amount “as soon as she reached home.”
Two weeks have passed, and I am still waiting. Since then, I’ve been met with a barrage of excuses: she claimed to have entered her PIN incorrectly, got locked out of her account, and is waiting for the bank to resolve the issue. She even insisted she had already promised to handle it.
At this point, the issue transcends the money itself; it’s about trust. I suggested she withdraw the amount in cash and return it if the transfer was problematic. Yet, my calls remain unanswered.
The thought of involving the police has crossed my mind, but how does one report someone they once called a sister? This person has shared my table, cried on my shoulder, and entrusted me with their deepest secrets.
This ordeal has left me heartbroken but wiser. I’ve learned that money has a unique way of revealing character, often faster than time ever could. A true friend doesn’t hide behind excuses when they’re holding onto something that isn’t theirs.
Signed,
Heartbroken but Wiser -
PM Browne invites Opposition Leader to join COP delegation in show of climate solidarity
In a remarkable demonstration of national solidarity, Antigua and Barbuda is preparing to send a unified delegation to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP) in Belém, Brazil. Prime Minister Gaston Browne has extended a formal invitation to Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle to join the delegation, emphasizing the importance of presenting a united front on one of the country’s most critical global issues. Maurice Merchant, Director-General of Communications, confirmed the invitation, stating that the Prime Minister views Pringle’s participation as an opportunity to engage him in the global climate discourse and showcase Antigua and Barbuda’s collective advocacy for environmental justice. The delegation will amplify the voices of small island developing states (SIDS), calling for increased climate finance and loss-and-damage compensation from major emitters and developed nations, particularly the United States. The conference will also serve as a platform to highlight the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica, underscoring the escalating threats posed by climate change to Caribbean economies and livelihoods. Prime Minister Browne is set to attend key meetings in Belém, expressing confidence that the Opposition Leader will accept the invitation given the issue’s significance for the nation and the region.
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Cabinet Tightens Tax Concession Policy — Three-Year Limit Set
In a decisive move to enhance fiscal accountability and address systemic abuses, the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has introduced a policy capping all tax concessions to a maximum of three years, effective December 1, 2025. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to ensure that fiscal incentives are transparent, time-bound, and aligned with the nation’s economic goals. Maurice Merchant, Director-General of Communications, announced that all existing concessions will expire on November 30, 2025, and businesses seeking continued benefits must reapply under the revised guidelines. Applicants will be required to provide documented proof of active business operations and compliance with tax obligations to the Inland Revenue Department. Merchant highlighted that the Cabinet’s decision was driven by concerns that certain long-standing concessions had become outdated and were being exploited for purposes beyond their original intent. For instance, benefits initially granted for hotel development were later diverted to unrelated ventures such as restaurant operations or equipment imports. ‘The government believes that three years is an adequate period for any new project to establish itself,’ Merchant stated, adding that companies would be eligible to reapply once their concession term concludes. This policy overhaul underscores the administration’s commitment to fostering a more equitable and efficient fiscal environment while supporting sustainable economic growth.
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Antigua Government in Active Talks on Cargo Plane Partnership
The government of Antigua and Barbuda is actively engaging in discussions with regional transport companies to forge a cargo aircraft partnership, aimed at enhancing trade and logistics across the Eastern Caribbean. Maurice Merchant, the Director-General of Communications, confirmed that while negotiations are ongoing, the procurement of a government-owned cargo plane has been temporarily suspended pending the outcome of these talks. Merchant emphasized that a successful agreement with these companies would streamline the acquisition process. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to fortify regional trade links and supply chains, particularly within the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). Additionally, the partnership could improve access to cost-effective goods from neighboring markets, such as the Dominican Republic. Merchant highlighted that this effort is seen as a pivotal step to make regional commerce more efficient and resilient, while also bolstering Antigua and Barbuda’s role in regional trade and transport logistics.
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Twelve Nationals to Receive Independence Honours on Monday
Antigua and Barbuda will celebrate its 44th Independence Day by honoring twelve distinguished citizens for their exceptional contributions to national development. The ceremony, set to take place at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, will include the knighting of five individuals for their outstanding service. The event, scheduled to begin at 5 p.m., is part of the broader Independence Parade and Food Fair, which also features National Dress Day and a vibrant food fair. Maurice Merchant, Director-General of Communications, emphasized that the national honors symbolize the nation’s gratitude toward its citizens for their dedication to education, community service, nursing, artistic and cultural development, and youth empowerment. The festivities mark the country’s 44-year journey of resilience and nation-building since gaining independence in 1981, showcasing the collective spirit and progress of Antigua and Barbuda.
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PM Browne to Meet Trinidad’s Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Clico-Bico Issue
Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda is set to engage in high-level discussions with Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to address the protracted Clico-Bico insurance settlement issue. The talks aim to resolve financial disputes arising from the collapse of the Colonial Life Insurance Company (Clico) and its subsidiary, British American Insurance Company (Bico), ensuring compensation for affected policyholders. Maurice Merchant, Director-General of Communications, confirmed during a recent Cabinet press briefing that both leaders are committed to advancing negotiations. While no specific date has been finalized, Browne’s team is prepared to travel to Trinidad and Tobago as soon as schedules permit. Merchant emphasized the enduring diplomatic ties between the two nations, assuring that recent remarks by Persad-Bissessar on CARICOM’s stance regarding Venezuela would not hinder the Clico-Bico discussions. Prime Minister Browne expressed confidence in Persad-Bissessar’s commitment to negotiating in good faith, aiming for a fair and conclusive resolution to this long-standing financial matter.
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Major Material Shipment for Home Repairs to Arrive by November
The government of Antigua and Barbuda is set to receive an unprecedented shipment of building materials, marking the largest single import of such supplies in the nation’s history. This initiative, part of a newly launched social housing support program, aims to assist low-income families and residents living in wooden structures with essential home repairs and renovations. Maurice Merchant, Director-General of Communications, confirmed that the shipment will arrive before the end of November and will be distributed to vulnerable households across the country. ‘This is the largest order of material ever imported into Antigua and Barbuda by any entity,’ Merchant emphasized, highlighting the government’s commitment to supporting the poor and indigent. The program aligns with ongoing projects funded by the Department of the Environment, including the construction of model homes for the Rastafarian community and affordable housing initiatives backed by climate financing mechanisms. According to Merchant, this effort is a key component of the government’s broader strategy to enhance resilience, improve living standards, and ensure that social assistance reaches those who need it most.
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HDPE Pipeline Installation and Road Rehabilitation to Begin on All Saints Road
The Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) has announced a significant initiative to modernize the country’s water distribution system. The project involves replacing outdated cast-iron pipelines with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes along All Saints Road, a move aimed at addressing persistent issues of leaks and water loss. This upgrade is part of APUA’s broader strategy to enhance the reliability and efficiency of the national water network. Esworth Bradshaw, APUA’s General Manager, recently updated the Cabinet on the project’s commencement, emphasizing the benefits of the new HDPE pipes, which are expected to offer superior durability, hydraulic performance, and overall system resilience. Maurice Merchant, Director-General of Communications, confirmed that the necessary equipment is already in place, with the new pipelines expected to arrive within the next two to three weeks. Installation work will begin shortly thereafter, with roadworks and pipeline laying to be conducted simultaneously from the junction near Townhouse Furnishings through to English Harbour. The Ministry of Works will issue detailed schedules for road diversions and public advisories as the project progresses. This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to modernizing water infrastructure and ensuring reliable service for residents of Antigua and Barbuda.