标签： Antigua and Barbuda

Authorities in Antigua are investigating a significant theft at Goodwill Agencies on All Saints Road, where criminals made off with approximately 150 cases of chicken meat. The burglary involved perpetrators cutting through a secured 40-foot shipping container located on the company’s premises and removing an entire pallet of poultry products. In a subsequent discovery, 48 cases from the stolen consignment were found abandoned a short distance from the crime scene, though the majority remains missing. Law enforcement officials have launched a full investigation into the break-in and subsequent theft. Meanwhile, Goodwill Agencies has issued a public health advisory, cautioning both consumers and business operators to exercise extreme vigilance when sourcing chicken products. The company emphasized that the stolen goods may have been compromised during the extraction process, potentially rendering them unsafe for consumption due to improper handling and unknown storage conditions.

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has initiated a substantial expansion of its housing assistance program with the arrival of building materials exceeding EC$1 million in value. This shipment, comprising lumber and galvanized steel, reached the islands on Tuesday as part of the Home Advancement Programme for the Poor and Indigent (HAPPI).

Prime Minister Gaston Browne characterized this delivery as unprecedented in scale, marking the largest single importation of construction materials specifically dedicated to housing support in the nation’s history. The materials have been transported to secure facilities awaiting distribution to qualified households across the country.

This initiative represents merely the initial phase of a sustained governmental commitment to address housing inadequacies. The administration has pledged to continue annual investments until substantial improvements are achieved in both new home construction and existing structure repairs for vulnerable populations.

Social and Urban Transformation Minister Rawdon Turner affirmed the comprehensive nature of the program, emphasizing its non-partisan eligibility criteria. Minister Turner reiterated the government’s directive to assist all qualifying citizens irrespective of political affiliation, with the ultimate objective of transforming living conditions for families in need.

Prospective beneficiaries must complete formal applications through the Social Protection Board, followed by site evaluations to determine specific requirements. Approved applicants will receive direct material delivery, with supplementary estimates prepared when necessary to ensure effective implementation.

The HAPPI initiative underscores the government’s enhanced focus on social protection frameworks and its dedication to improving living standards for economically disadvantaged citizens through practical infrastructure support.

The nation of Antigua and Barbuda stands united in recognizing the profoundly transformative impact of the Antigua and Barbuda Trades and Labour Union (AT&LU) in shaping the country’s modern development. Founded on January 16, 1939, the union became the vehicle through which the population forged a new destiny.

Harold Carter, who passed away at age 98 on December 26, 2025, emerged as a pivotal figure during one of the union’s most critical periods. Born into an era when sugarcane dominated the agricultural landscape and defined the economic existence of Caribbean nations, Carter witnessed firsthand the brutal legacy of colonial exploitation. Despite the formal abolition of slavery in 1834, workers faced persistently low wages, barbarous working conditions, physical punishments, wage deprivation, inadequate housing, poor nutrition, and widespread illiteracy.

At age 21, Carter immersed himself in the struggle for meaningful change, joining the AT&LU in 1949 and rapidly assuming leadership responsibilities. His commitment coincided with the union’s preparation for a historic confrontation that would redefine labor relations in the country.

In May 1951, the AT&LU initiated a pivotal struggle to liberate workers from oppressive conditions, calling for the first-ever Labor Day celebration without legal sanction. The British-descended management of the Antigua Sugar Factory responded with determination to ‘starve the black workers into submission,’ setting the stage for a dramatic confrontation.

Carter played a crucial role in strengthening resolve among workers facing threats from descendants of slave-masters. When the union called a general strike on May 5, 1951, the establishment responded with mass arrests of section leaders. Carter and twelve courageous compatriots were arrested on charges of using threatening language toward workers.

Tried before a magistrate favored by the overlords, twelve of the men received one-month jail sentences, while Kelso Frederick received two months for evading capture. These thirteen activists—Harold Carter, James Drew, Wills Emanuel, Renford Payne, Steven Payne, Ervin Samuel, Jessey Silcott, Alvin Tanner, Alfred Thomas, Charles Williams, Mash-um-up Simon, Kelso Frederick, and Clovell Williams—challenged the legitimacy of oppressive laws that had maintained Antigua and Barbuda in a state of perpetual underdevelopment.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne, speaking on behalf of the government and people, has declared that Carter will receive an official funeral in recognition of his contributions. The Prime Minister extended condolences to Carter’s wife Olga, his family, friends, and the broader union fraternity, noting that these courageous figures remain eternally present in the nation’s collective memory and historical annals, much like Prince Klaas and the 88 freedom seekers executed in 1736-1737.

Antigua and Barbuda’s National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) has obtained a critical World Bank-funded grant to acquire a state-of-the-art tire shredding system. This advanced machinery represents a significant technological upgrade, engineered to process all tire varieties—from standard passenger tires to challenging steel-belted and heavy-duty commercial tires that have historically posed disposal difficulties.

According to NSWMA General Manager Indira James-Henry, the current shredding equipment at the local landfill has proven fundamentally inadequate for the nation’s needs. Its limited capacity and inability to handle steel-reinforced materials have created a persistent bottleneck in waste processing operations.

The acquisition of this specialized shredder is expected to transform the country’s approach to tire waste management. Officials project substantial improvements in processing efficiency and safety protocols, directly addressing the chronic overcrowding at landfill sites. This intervention strengthens the overall resilience of the national waste management infrastructure.

James-Henry highlighted the severity of the tire accumulation problem, revealing that approximately five million discarded tires are currently stockpiled across disposal facilities. This massive buildup presents multifaceted threats to community wellbeing, including heightened fire hazards, environmental contamination risks, and potential public health concerns—challenges that are particularly acute with steel-reinforced tires that resist conventional processing methods.

Antigua and Barbuda has welcomed Dr. David Muhammad, a distinguished regional youth development specialist from Trinidad and Tobago, for a high-level consultation aimed at curbing the nation’s challenges with gun violence, gang proliferation, and juvenile delinquency. The visit, initiated upon the invitation of local official Khalid Shabazz, centers on deploying proven, evidence-based methodologies to steer young individuals away from criminal pathways.

Dr. Muhammad’s comprehensive strategy emphasizes a multi-faceted approach, prioritizing early intervention programs, structured mentorship initiatives, educational reform, and empowering community-driven solutions. His expertise is sought to help build resilient support systems that address the root causes of youth crime rather than merely its symptoms.

During his official stay, Dr. Muhammad is scheduled for high-level discussions with the nation’s Prime Minister and the Minister of Education. The itinerary also potentially includes direct engagements with students and faculty at local schools, aiming to ground his policy recommendations in firsthand community insights. Government representatives have indicated that a detailed schedule of his public appearances and activities will be disclosed as the visit progresses, ensuring transparency and community involvement in this critical endeavor.