As a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda living in the diaspora, I have been paying keen attention to the political landscape, particularly the complaints of the opposition over the past few years. My approach has been as objective as possible to assess the merit of their claims.
Having visited Antigua regularly—four times last year and once this year—I have taken the opportunity to engage with the local residents. Through casual conversations with a diverse range of individuals who are unfamiliar with me, I aim to gauge their sentiments regarding the current administration.
Observations on Public Sentiment
- General Satisfaction:
From my observations, individuals who are satisfied with the government’s performance often exhibit a natural glow, while those who express dissatisfaction tend to display a more sour demeanor, often supporting the opposition.
- Support for the Current Administration:
Many citizens express a general satisfaction with the current administration’s commitment to economic growth and national development. However, there is concern regarding the Prime Minister’s response to dissent, particularly when accusations of corruption arise. This issue resonates deeply with many citizens.
- Skepticism Towards the Opposition:
A prevailing sentiment among individuals I spoke to is skepticism regarding the opposition’s capability to govern effectively. As one citizen articulated, “We know what we have, but we don’t wish to find out what we might get,” highlighting a reluctance to embrace change.
Economic Indicators and Community Engagement
My visits have revealed a thriving local economy. Many Antiguans own multiple vehicles, and the fashion choices reflect a strong sense of style. The vibrant nightlife at places like King’s Casino, Weatherill’s, Seafood Friday, and popular dining spots such as The Larder, Clean Food & Jooce, and Sips & Tips, Garden Grill Café, The Larder, Café Bella, Hemmingway’s, Burger 268, Like-A-Latte indicate a robust social scene.
Then, there are Ana’s on the Beach, Salt Plage, Gourmet Basket, Dennis’, OJ’s Seafood, Alma’s Restaurant, Lucky Eddi’s in English Harbour, and in Barbuda we have Uncle Rocky’s and Nobu, and the Hut on Jumby Bay.
The reason I choose to mention these outfits is that many local Antiguans are patrons filling the seats and are seemingly frequent in these spaces
Events organized by both the opposition and local organizations often sell out quickly, demonstrating strong community engagement. For instance, Pork Fest Fundraiser Events hosted by the opposition are sold out well in advance, while the Roman Catholic Church’s Christmas food fair also saw rapid sell-outs.
During my time volunteering for the Salvation Army’s kettling exercise at Christmas, I witnessed the generosity of shoppers, with many contributing between $20 to $100, often accompanied by their children. Some even claimed that they had already donated earlier at another supermarket. This speaks to a buoyant economy, despite the naysayers.
Additionally, many locals are enrolling in classes at the UWI Five Islands Campus, seeking to advance their skills and improve their career prospects.
Areas for Improvement
While there are many positive developments, I must highlight several areas requiring urgent attention:
●Infrastructure:
The condition of roadways remains a significant concern, and the inconsistency of water distribution needs to be addressed. Although the administration has begun a road program and water regularity is improving, further action is necessary.
●Aesthetics and Community Cleanliness:
The presence of derelict buildings and old vehicles detracts from the island’s beauty. It is imperative for the administration to prioritize the removal of these eyesores to enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of Antigua and Barbuda.
Positive Developments and Future Outlook
Despite these challenges, the current administration has made remarkable strides in various sectors:
– Agriculture and Entrepreneurship: The government’s focus on agriculture and entrepreneurship is commendable, fostering a spirit of innovation and self-sufficiency.
– Educational Initiatives: The establishment of the UWI Five Islands Campus represents a paradigm shift in education, providing new opportunities for personal and professional growth.
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All the fetes on almost every weekend are sold out at a minimum of $100.00 for general admission.
The salons, barber shops, nail salons, and even massage therapy practices are all busy to being, at times, overwhelmed.
The opposition hosts Pork Fests, which are sold out, halfway through the event. They sell more than just pork dishes, of course.
The Roman Catholic hosted a food fair during Christmas, and they were sold out quickly.
I was humbly fortunate to be a volunteer for the Salvation Army kettling exercise during the Christmas season at the entrance of the Epicurean Supermarket.
The people entering the supermarket have generously, and the ones who promised to return after shopping honoured their promise. They sometimes asked their little children to deposit a minimum of $20.00 – $100.00, some indicating that they had already
This speaks to a buoyant economy, despite the naysayers.
Many people are enrolled in classes at the UWI Five Islands Campus to advance their capacity in various areas for a better career path.
Now, let me say here that I’m not thrilled with the conditions of the roadways and the lack of water distribution on a regular basis.
From listening to the press briefings and the PM’s explanations on Pointe FM on Saturday afternoons, he has stated that they had not focused on a road program initially as they were attempting to lower the debt to GDP by honouring foreign debts as much as possible which would in fact give our country a better rating as lenders would be more willing to assist us.
The road program has begun as I was inconvenienced in a few well traveled areas.
The water regularity is improving as it is more constant.
The main issue that I have is the fact that the administration has not enforced the tearing down of derelict buildings and edifices across the island which diminish the aesthetics of the island.
Old vehicles on the roads in villages and communities are not pleasing to the eye.
New Development in recent times
- The recruitment of Global Port Holding (GPH) that operate in the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and the Asia-Pacific regions.
- The increased choices in airlift with full flight both ways to Antigua daily.
- Home porting for a few cruise ships.
- The increased stay over visitors to our shores is astounding. Just ask the taxi drivers.
- The acquisition of Scotia Bank to merge with am indigenous banking institution
- The acquisition of WIOC from the Palestinian (Russian-Jewish) Baruch “Bruce” Rappaport family for Antigua and Barbuda
- The record-breaking recently constructed Sir Novel Richards Academy is making positive waves in the secondary education with which to be reckoned.
- The recent completion of the Barbuda International Airport
- The PLH project that employs the greater portion of the Barbuda population with Antiguans traversing the sea weekly to work as well.
- The acquisition of the Sembcorp Water Company in the early phase of the administration governance.
- The number of Reverse Osmosis plants reduces the longstanding water crisis.
- The re-emergence of the LIAT with a new twist to keep the Caribbean connected.
- The Royalton Antiguan Resort, the Royalton Chic Resort, The Hodges Bay Club,
- The Jolly Beach reopening, and many other resorts.
- The housing stock has increased tremendously by over 39.6% in the last four years.
- The stem cell research center
18.The cancer center, albeit under some logistical issues at the moment.
- A new renal division underway.
- Successful Kidney transplant surgeries at SLBMC.
- More polyclinics across the country.
There is now a challenge for APUA division to handle all the new accounts as it relates to water rationing and distribution. That’s a good problem to have.
– Infrastructure Improvements: Significant infrastructure projects, such as the refurbishment of the Deep Water Harbour and the completion of the Barbuda International Airport, are pivotal in trade. The recent completion of the fifth berth at St. John’s Harbour, capable of accommodating multiple cruise ships daily, further underscores this progress.
– Healthcare Advancements: The introduction of new medical facilities, including a cancer center and polyclinics, highlights a commitment to improving healthcare access for all citizens. Successful kidney transplant surgeries at SLBMC and the establishment of a new renal division are noteworthy achievements.
– Increased Tourism: The recruitment of Global Port Holding and the home porting of several cruise ships have contributed to a rise in stayover visitors, a positive trend for taxi drivers and local businesses alike.
Call to Action
Considering these observations, I urge both the government and citizens to engage collaboratively in building a better future for Antigua and Barbuda. Citizens should take an active role in community projects and civic organizations, contributing to the collective well-being of our nation.
As we embrace our motto, “Each endeavoring, all achieving,” let us work together to realize the full potential of our beautiful islands.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the current administration’s efforts tell a compelling story of progress, development, and sustainability for the residents of Antigua and Barbuda. Despite opposition criticisms, it is clear that the government is making strides toward improving the lives of ordinary citizens. We all have a role to play in this journey, whether through community service, supporting local initiatives, or simply taking pride in our nation.
God bless Antigua and Barbuda.
Dave Ray, Ph.D., CT, LMT
