Prime Minister Gaston Browne has clarified that the planned increase in vehicle-related fees to fund road improvements will be based on a percentage rather than a fixed $100 amount.
Speaking on his weekly radio program, Browne explained that the $100 figure was used as an example and not the actual fee adjustment, emphasizing that the government is implementing a scaled approach rather than a one-size-fits-all increase.
“I used $100 as an example—it’s a percentage increase,” he explained, reaffirming that the actual adjustments will be proportionally structured.
“Serpent and the others want to make a political issue out of people paying maybe $200 more per year, but clearly, if you want more durable roads, you have to pay more,” Browne stated. “It could be $300 or even $400, but the point is that we need to fund road improvements.”
“We are a responsible government, and we are committed to providing the people of Antigua and Barbuda with better roads,” Browne stated.
“To achieve this, we need to raise revenue, and that means increasing road user fees—which have remained unchanged for over 30 years—but the increase will be a percentage, not a flat amount.”
The prime minister outlined that the fee adjustment is necessary to help finance the repayment of a $100 million bond secured through discussions with AntiguaCommercial Bank (ACB) and Eastern Caribbean Amalgamated Bank (ECAB).
These funds will be dedicated to road construction, curbs, and drainage improvements.
Browne also addressed criticisms from the opposition, arguing that better roads will reduce vehicle maintenance costs for citizens in the long run.
He dismissed political arguments against the increase, stressing that every dollar collected will be placed in a special-purpose fund controlled by the Ministry of Public Works and used solely for road infrastructure projects.
Highlighting the need for more durable road construction, Browne noted that concrete roads will be prioritized over asphalt due to the harsh climate conditions in Antigua and Barbuda.
He reiterated that his administration has pursued responsible economic policies, contrasting them with the previous United Progressive Party (UPP) administration, which he claimed borrowed over $2 billion in a decade without significant investment in infrastructure.
“This government does not waste public resources. Every cent raised will be used as intended, and independent evaluations will ensure accountability,” Browne affirmed.
The fee increase, set to be calculated as a percentage, aims to generate the necessary funds for infrastructure development while ensuring fairness across different vehicle types.
