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Gov’t agenda outlined in first Throne Speech since January elections

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On Monday, Governor General, Sir Rodney Williams presented his government’s agenda in the first Throne Speech since the 18th January, 2023 general elections.

Themed “Managing With A Smaller Team: A more nimble and responsive government” – a nod to the smaller mandate of the Gaston Browne administration in its third term – the tone of the Throne Speech made it clear that this would no way impede the government from carrying out its duties to the people of Antigua and Barbuda.

During the ceremonial opening of the first session of the new Parliament, Sir Rodney touched on several areas that will hold the attention of the new government over the course of the year.

Education was first up, with the acknowledgement of the Antigua Barbuda Labour Party administration’s investment, at all levels, in the country’s people.

In addition to the $200 million expansion of the UWI Five Islands Campus that is now under way, Sir Rodney revealed other education centres which will receive attention in the new term.

“My Government is also pleased to announce that it has secured $13 million to expand the Antigua and Barbuda Institute of Continuing Education (ABICE) and has received over $4 million in grants and gifts towards the expansion of the Sir Novelle Richards Academy. These investments are the result of the skillful negotiations by the Honourable Prime Minister and the Minister of Education who are to be commended for their unwavering commitment to enhancing the education services provided. These investments will ensure that more of our citizens and residents have access to quality technical and vocational as well as secondary education and training programmes, and will help us build a stronger, more resilient economy for the future,” said Sir Rodney.

He continued that the government will also move to establish a “National Performing Arts Centre by converting the former Deluxe Cinema”.

In respect of healthcare and its development, the government recommitted to ensuring that access to, and the cost of obtaining it remains within the reach of all nationals and residents.

Antigua and Barbuda recently celebrated the milestone of having successfully completed ten kidney transplants.

This places the country in the position to now offer this service to territories in the region who are without the technology and expertise to offer this lifesaving treatment.

According to Governor General Williams, the government will now turn its attention to developing a cardiac centre at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre.

Sir Rodney also addressed his government’s intention to address other areas that will improve the lives of Antiguans and Barbudans, specifically in respect of technology.

“My government is committed to providing affordable and reliable broadband services throughout our twin-island state. The commissioning of an undersea cable owned by the APUA will result in a decrease in service costs, prevent the charging of usurious prices for rental connectivity, provide Barbuda with better quality broadband services and advance our goal of achieving First World standards of connectivity throughout the nation.”

Notably, the country’s economic recovery post-COVID was highlighted, as was the government’s intention to exceed the impressive 7 percent growth projected over the coming  fiscal year.

The importance of tourism in this economic rebound was also underscored.

“Despite the challenges brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, my government ensured that public servants received their salaries and wages on time, and that pensioners received their full payments. This dedication to the people has paid off, as evidenced by the growth in the economy in 2021 and continuing that trend into 2022. In fact, my Government anticipates exceeding the average 7% growth in 2023. One of the major contributors to this success has been the PLH project in Barbuda, which not only created jobs but also stimulated local purchases, throughout the pandemic. Despite attempts to shut down this economic engine, my government firmly believes that Barbuda will continue to be a source of jobs and opportunities for growth in 2023 and beyond.

“The second prong of our national fiscal security mechanism was focused on preserving our nation’s main economic engine – the tourism sector. My government acknowledges the hard work of the Minister of Tourism and his team of public and private sector partners for growing, stabilising and rebuilding the sector—an accomplishment which received several awards including the Tourism Minister of the Year Award presented by the Caribbean Tourism Organization. The recovery of the tourism sector after its forced lockdown during the dark period of the COVID 19 pandemic is a remarkable achievement, engineered by my government’s efforts and the superb leadership of a team of experts who capitalised on pent-up demand for travel in the markets that drive our tourism industry. Despite the temporary closure of two of our largest properties—Jolly Beach and the Halcyon Cove—undergoing upgrades and renewal, visitor arrival figures nearly match those of 2019, our best year on record. Furthermore, we expect even more visitors in the upcoming season.”

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