Residents of Antigua and Barbuda will soon have a new avenue to voice their concerns regarding infrastructure directly to the Minister of Public Works, thanks to the upcoming launch of a user-friendly mobile application.

This exciting announcement was made by Maria Browne, Minister of Public Works and Housing, during a parliamentary session on Wednesday.

She highlighted the app as a key component of a broader initiative to enhance the country’s infrastructure in 2025, which also includes various digital enhancements, significant building renovations, and innovative housing projects.

Minister Browne emphasized that the new app is designed to streamline the reporting process, enabling quicker scheduling and faster response times to pressing issues concerning roads and infrastructure.

She acknowledged the multitude of challenges contributing to the decline in road conditions, including ineffective wastewater management systems, the surge in road traffic, and concrete spillage on major thoroughfares.

The minister raised a significant concern about the noticeable deterioration of roads due to the increased presence of heavy-duty vehicles.

“The amount of heavy-duty equipment that exists here in our nation now is far more than what existed years ago, leading to the further degradation of our roads”, she stated.

Additionally, Minister Browne pointed out a troubling trend observed this year by the Public Works Department: household wastewater has begun spilling onto public roads.

Although this issue has persisted over the years, the rising demand for water, even in well-established neighborhoods, has exacerbated the problem, contributing to the severe deterioration of community roads over time.