PM Browne Criticizes Litter Wardens for Lack of Enforcement
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has called for greater accountability among litter wardens, accusing them of failing to enforce regulations against illegal dumping and waste disposal.
“They are not doing anything. They’re not bringing anybody [to justice],” Browne said. “I believe they should be placed on commission—if you don’t get a citation, you don’t get paid.”
The Prime Minister said stricter enforcement is necessary to maintain cleanliness in communities across Antigua and Barbuda. He pointed to areas where waste, including old vehicles and discarded pallets, continues to accumulate due to a lack of enforcement.
“I personally will go and tell them to clean up the place. You cannot be destroying the country like that,” he stated.
Browne also criticized businesses and vendors who contribute to unsanitary conditions.
“We clean up the country, and we’re appealing to vendors to take some responsibility,” he said.
“We cannot allow anyone to trample on the pride of our country and our desire to have a beautiful environment.”
He compared the situation to other Caribbean nations, saying that even smaller countries with fewer resources have managed to keep their streets cleaner.
“I’ve been to Montserrat. Little Montserrat next door is far cleaner than Antigua and Barbuda. They have less money than us, no risk of a volcano, and yet they keep their spaces clean,” he said.
Browne said that cleanliness should not be a privilege but a basic expectation.
He warned that those who fail to maintain proper sanitation standards may face consequences as the government moves to strengthen enforcement mechanisms.
