Gov’t Seeks Debt Forgiveness from Landlords

Published January 30, 2025, 5:20 AM

When the Cabinet met on Wednesday, they addressed the government’s current rental obligations and the outstanding debts owed to landlords nationwide.

The discussion highlighted the financial challenges experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led the administration to suspend rental payments to property owners due to a significant drop in revenue.

The Minister of Works emphasized that while revenue levels have rebounded and surpassed pre-pandemic figures, the accumulated arrears from the rental payment suspensions require urgent attention.

As a result, the government is seeking special funding options to clear the outstanding debts and explore potential measures for debt forgiveness.

To tackle these issues, the Ministry of Finance is being engaged to secure additional resources that will cover both the arrears and ensure timely future rental payments.

This move aims to fortify relationships with landlords and stabilize the government’s rental obligations moving forward.

The Cabinet’s discussion signals a proactive approach in managing the financial landscape post-pandemic, with a focus on maintaining fiscal responsibility while honoring commitments to landlords.

This story was first published by Antigua News on January 30, 2025 at 5:20 AM (Antigua time, UTC−4): antigua.news/2025/01/30/govt-seeks-debt-forgiveness-from-landlords. © 2025 Antigua News. Republication without permission is not allowed.

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Comments (5)

AAB January 30, 2025, 11:55 AM

THE HEAD of THIS Government said PUBLICLY To his members of Cabinet/Ministers ….at the BEGINNING of The Term of Office of THIS GOVERNMENT, the following: You Must Seek To —- ENRICH Yourselves CREATIVELY— And THIS Is What, I Am SURE, that Every Cabinet Member Has Been Doing Since 2015 .,,,,, Hence, FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY Has Been Thrown Out The DOOR…. Or Given Very LITTLE Attention..,.. THE Ensuing WASTE OF Money (E. G. The Present UNFINISHED CEMETERY) by ALL Ministers is Responsible for Lack Of Finance to
PAY The LOCAL DEBTS of The Government……… ……. Knowing what He Has Done At THE BEGINNING of His Administration … The Prime Minister should be ASHAMED To make THIS STATEMENT Of REQUESTING DEBT FORGIVENESS …….. before Asking His Ministers to contribute from their well-oiled Pockets the FUNDS NEEDED to Pay THE POOR Landlords Their Back Rent …. So Very SAD …..
Reply
Anonymous January 30, 2025, 3:13 PM

Why dobt the government forgive us of all these taxes and increased taxes as well. Now another hole in antiguans pockets. He is increasing vehicle license. When will he ever stop taking the poor people of Antigua out of existence. Not wearing seat belts gone up to $500.00 taking on your phone gone up to $500.00 plus all the little import taxes which adds up. It’s crazy that that he should even think od asking poor people to garden rent owed to them.
Reply
LL January 30, 2025, 3:16 PM

Why dont the government forgive us of all these taxes and increased taxes as well. Now another hole in antiguans pockets. He is increasing vehicle license. When will he ever stop taxing the poor people of Antigua out of existence. Not wearing seat belts gone up to $500.00 taking on your phone gone up to $500.00 plus all the little import taxes which adds up. It’s crazy that he should even think of asking poor people to forget/forgive rent owed to them.
Reply
Stone January 30, 2025, 3:50 PM

The poor of this country must give the rich and wealthy of this country a chance to keep their money while we do without. As soon as you owe for electricity they cut you off and you still have to pay extra to be reconnected.. wicked set a people
Reply
Hilltop January 30, 2025, 7:58 PM

Wait , what happened to the fantastic growth the country has been experiencing
Reply

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Gov’t Seeks Debt Forgiveness from Landlords

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