The Ministry of Housing and Works said that Public Works Director Aldin Crump has been reassigned to assist with the airport runway rehabilitation project, formally disassociating itself from reports that he was fired.
Yesterday, in response to an article published by an online media house entitled “Public Works Director Fired”, the ministry issued a statement saying that Crump’s reassignment came following a request from the Antigua and Barbuda Airport Authority for a qualified engineer.
“The Ministry recognizes the national significance of this project and the critical need for high level technical support throughout its implementation,” the statement read. “This effort requires close coordination between local engineering expertise and the external contractors selected to execute the project, safeguarding national interest”.
During Thursday’s post-Cabinet press briefing, Chief of Staff in the Prime Minister’s Office Ambassador Lionel Hurst, confirmed that the decision to reassign Crump was made during Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting.
“He’s going to be moved to another project to undertake some very important required engineering skill,” Hurst told reporters.
Crump, described as “a qualified engineer with over 44 years of experience”, will be tasked with ensuring the Government of Antigua and Barbuda successfully completes the airport runway project in accordance with all technical requirements.
The ministry emphasized that Crump “remains a respected civil servant, employed by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda.”
In its statement, the ministry reaffirmed its commitment to its infrastructure mandate, stating it “remains focused on its mandate to improve road conditions and deliver sustainable infrastructure solutions”.
However, Prime Minister Gaston Browne suggested during Parliament that Crump’s performance on the job may have been a factor in the reassignment.
“When Crump was working under the UPP administration, they moved him for non-performance. And you know what we said on our side? We said this is political victimization,” the Prime Minister stated, adding that with hindsight, “I will accept that there are issues.”
Meanwhile, Cabinet has not yet announced who will replace Crump as Director of Public Works.
