标签： Antigua and Barbuda

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has acquired specialized heavy-duty dredging equipment to overcome significant geological obstacles that had paralyzed critical harbor development projects. Prime Minister Gaston Browne announced this strategic intervention during his appearance on the ‘Browne and Browne’ show on Pointe FM, revealing that previous dredging attempts at Parham Harbour had been completely halted by impenetrable rock formations and bedrock.

According to PM Browne, the substantial rock layers proved insurmountable for originally deployed machinery, ultimately compelling even a contracted Dutch dredging firm to withdraw from the project after their equipment failed to perform under the challenging conditions. This operational deadlock left the government with ‘no other choice’ but to procure a more robust mechanical solution capable of fragmenting and extracting the dense geological material.

The newly acquired dredger, which arrived disassembled, is presently being reconstructed on-site by technical crews. Prime Minister Browne projected that the machine will become operational within approximately one week. In a complementary move, the administration has arranged to lease an additional barge from Guadeloupe within the forthcoming fortnight to bolster the dredging operations.

Upon activation, work will recommence at Parham Harbour—locally referred to as Crabbs—with subsequent redeployment planned for St. John’s Harbour. PM Browne emphasized that the successful execution of these dredging activities is indispensable for enhancing maritime accessibility and facilitating the progression of associated port infrastructure developments, which are pivotal to the nation’s economic and logistical advancement.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne has publicly eulogized the late Sir Gerald Watt, former Speaker of the House, characterizing him as an intellectually robust and courageous patriot whose enduring legacy will profoundly shape Antigua and Barbuda’s democratic traditions. During a recent appearance on Pointe FM, Browne expressed profound shock at Sir Gerald’s unexpected passing, which occurred merely days before his 87th birthday, despite reports of his vigorous health.

The Prime Minister revealed that while their personal acquaintance deepened after 2014, his admiration for Sir Gerald originated from a remarkably lucid and bold article the former Speaker penned in 2000. This initial respect was further fortified through conversations with the late Prime Minister Sir Lester Bird, who consistently praised Sir Gerald as possessing one of the nation’s most brilliant legal intellects.

Browne particularly emphasized Sir Gerald’s unwavering resolve and intellectual independence during his challenging tenure as head of the Electoral Commission. These sterling qualities ultimately motivated Browne to appoint him as Speaker following the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party’s 2014 electoral triumph. Over his subsequent eleven-year speakership, Sir Gerald demonstrated extraordinary physical vitality, intellectual acuity, and unshakeable principles, frequently adopting controversial stances when convinced of their righteousness.

Notably, the Prime Minister highlighted Sir Gerald’s distinctive parliamentary management style, marked by both firmness and impartiality. He consistently maintained parliamentary decorum without yielding to political pressures, often confronting ministers and opposition members alike with equal determination. This steadfast approach, while sometimes unsettling for political opponents, fundamentally reflected his profound institutional respect for Parliament itself.

Although Sir Gerald had previously served under different political banners, Browne observed his remarkable transformation into one of the Labour Party’s most articulate defenders in recent years. This political evolution exemplified the vital importance of integrating talented individuals across ideological spectrums to strengthen national governance structures.

In extending heartfelt condolences to Sir Gerald’s family, including his son and relatives, Browne proclaimed him “a true patriot” and “a great son of the soil” whose nation-building contributions remain invaluable. The government will accord Sir Gerald an official state funeral, with parliamentary tributes scheduled when the House reconvenes.

Concurrently, Browne expressed sympathies for the passing of veteran educator Genevieve “Teacher Gen” Smith, grandmother of Minister Anthony Smith Jr., reaffirming his endorsement for renaming Potters Primary School in her honor. While acknowledging the profound loss of both figures, the Prime Minister emphasized that their extensive lives of national service should be celebrated gratefully, with their legacies continuing to inspire forthcoming generations.

In a decisive response to acts of infrastructure sabotage, Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne has declared a $50,000 reward for information resulting in the arrest and conviction of perpetrators responsible for deliberately setting fire to critical fiber-optic materials in Old Road. The announcement came immediately following confirmation of the vandalism targeting the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) installation site at Morris Bay.

Prime Minister Browne, speaking via national radio broadcast Pointe FM, emphasized the government’s zero-tolerance stance toward disorder, stating: ‘We’re taking the fight to these people. We cannot allow these people to become lawless and to destroy our country.’ The substantial reward extends to anyone providing credible intelligence leading to successful prosecution, with provisions established for anonymous tip submissions to either Cabinet ministers or law enforcement authorities.

The incident represents a significant escalation in local tensions surrounding preparatory works for a vital subsea cable project. According to APUA’s detailed account, the destruction occurred on December 12, 2025, following days of escalating community tensions unrelated to the utility’s operations. Preliminary assessments indicate several thousand dollars in damages to conduits and project materials essential for the national infrastructure initiative.

APUA officials confirmed the vandalism was deliberate, occurring despite previous community engagement efforts including an October town hall meeting that reportedly generated largely supportive feedback. The authority emphasized the project’s critical importance for enhancing the nation’s digital resilience, ecommerce capabilities, educational infrastructure, and overall economic development with full operational launch anticipated by 2027.

While police investigations continue, both government and utility authorities have appealed for public cooperation and calm, underscoring that all citizens stand to benefit from the completed project. The administration has reiterated its commitment to upholding legal order and preventing further acts of destruction against national infrastructure assets.

In a significant regional leadership transition, Antigua and Barbuda has formally assumed the chairmanship of the Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee (CDCC) for the 2026-2028 term. The handover ceremony occurred during the 22nd CDCC meeting in Trinidad, where Trinidad and Tobago passed stewardship responsibilities to the incoming chair nation.

Established in 1975 through a United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) resolution, the CDCC maintains a mandate to promote regional collaboration for economic and social advancement. The committee now serves as a critical platform for addressing the distinctive challenges confronting Caribbean small island developing states.

Ambassador Walton Webson, Antigua and Barbuda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, characterized the leadership assumption as both strategically timed and highly significant. “This mandate arrives at an optimal juncture, enabling us to champion the ABAS decade as the regional implementation framework for SIDS resilience,” Webson stated during the transition proceedings.

The ambassador outlined key priorities for Antigua and Barbuda’s tenure, including advancing climate financing reform, establishing robust investment pipelines, and strengthening technical partnerships throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. He emphasized that the CDCC must persistently advocate for “fairness, predictability, and resilience as foundational pillars of a new financial architecture for island states.”

Webson additionally acknowledged Trinidad and Tobago’s contributions during their chairmanship, recognizing their dedicated stewardship and commitment to regional integration and development. The leadership transition marks a pivotal moment for Antigua and Barbuda to influence regional responses to climate change, disaster resilience, sustainable financing, and enhanced South-South cooperation mechanisms.