BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - AS part of the mission to rescue and rebuild the nation of Antigua and Barbuda and transforming it into an economic powerhouse within the Caribbean, newly-elected Prime Minister Gaston Browne has declared that his government would keep the promises made in their 2014 Manifesto and has already begun to do so.
During his inaugural speech yesterday (Jun. 18), Prime Minister Browne said he was “recommitting my party and government to the pursuit of every single undertaking made in our campaign Manifesto entitled the People’s Rescue Plan. And I say to you tonight that all promises will be honoured”.
Dispelling the notion that his party was merely “dangling a carrot before the Caribbean brothers and sisters” in making promises that CARICOM nationals’ work permit fees would be eliminated, PM Browne declared “that effective Monday 26th June 2014 no work permit fees shall be collected from CARICOM nationals who are being offered duly advertised and process employment opportunities here in Antigua and Barbuda. The Labour Party Administration will deliver. And I say to you tonight, promise made, promise kept”.
He said he has already begun to make headway on promises made regarding the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA).
The Prime Minister announced that following meeting(s) with officials of the APUA, households would be able to submit write-off requests to the Authority regarding their telephone, electricity or water services. This is applicable however, only to arrears up to the end of 2013.
Promising no retrenchment in APUA and no job losses under his Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party’s watch, the new Prime Minister said if workers are assured job security they would give optimum performance.
He said steps have been taken to resolve the nation’s water shortage issue and informed that within two weeks the water supply would be increased.
The housing stock is also expected to be boosted within a 500-day period.
According to PM Browne, the cornerstone of his party’s election campaign was the provision of affordable housing. And he promised that within the next 30 days a 500-house project would begin.
“Indeed, we promised 500 homes in 500 days. And we say to you that you would have gotten 500 homes in 500 days. Those with little or no vision said that it could not be done. Well, as your Prime Minister, I say to you that it can be done and that it shall be done.”
A confident Browne declared that the people of Antigua and Barbuda should feel confident that at the helm is a competent government which is moving the country out of a reverse gear and into a forward gear.
“But you should feel confident that we have competent individuals who will deliver...who will preside over your empowerment. Our country finally has moved out of a reverse gear and into the drive gear.
“And I say to you tonight that you are in safe hands, that you have very competent leadership that will take this country to a destination victory, that will transform this country into an economic powerhouse in the Caribbean…”
