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Editorial Staff
20/02/25 07:27

Views: 1,132

Editorial Staff
20/02/25 07:27

Views: 1,132

HURST REPORTS ON CABINET of Wednesday 19 February 2025

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Lionel Max Hurst

​The Cabinet began its sitting with an invocation by a Minister of Religion who prayed for guidance and wisdom for members in carrying out their duties.

  1. The Cabinet invited a group, led by the Manager of the Industrial Workshop for the Blind, to its sitting, in order to seek to improve the standard of care which is received by the blind and the severely, visually-impaired population. a. A blind male and his “seeing eye dog” and his spouse (Mr. and Mrs. Adams) were a part of the seven-person delegation which included Mr. Greenaway (with a single leg), Dr. Robins (who trains dogs), a middle-aged blind female, and a resident of Antigua who is going blind because of an inherited condition that has affected her mother and grandmother before her. Her preference is to begin working with a seeing-eye dog as her eyesight deteriorates, since she wishes to be independent.
  2. The Cabinet was told that 1% of our adult population is completely blind (>950 men and women); >750 adults in addition have very low vision; and, 3 out of every 100 children also suffer from very low vision. A guide dog is superior to a white cane—the latter being the usual method employed by most blind men and women in Antigua; however, a seeing-eye dog is far superior for re-gaining independence, for living alone, and for alerting the non-seeing person of an emergency. Many blind Antiguans would prefer having a seeing-eye dog but the animals must be bred and trained here in Antigua; and, according to Dr. Robins, the strays and the roaming dogs that aren’t on leashes are a threat. That particular challenge must first be overcome. The Dog Control Act provides the solution but the law is not enforced, he asserted. The need for dog pounds and other methods of control, including the work of the Humane Society, would be self-financing. The Minister of Health made a pledge to work closely with the team to enhance the possibilities and conditions that would be helpful. The group departed after spending one hour before the Cabinet.
  3. The Cabinet invited several members of the top brass of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda to address several issues:
  4. The Police were asked to address the issue of traffic congestion, leading into and out of the City of St. John’s during the hours of 7:00 to 10:30 am, and again from 3:30 to 5:30 pm. The Police are responsible for traffic control although the traffic lights are operated by the Ministry of Works; congestion is thought to be caused by certain traffic lights, since the traffic seems to flow freely at several junctions when the lights are blinking. There was agreement that several traffic lights are absolutely necessary if there are to be fewer accidents, and non-reliance upon driver-courtesy in order for the traffic to flow smoothly. It was agreed that experimentation to test the workability of the proposed easing of traffic flow by blinking lights during the rush hours. Six additional motorcycles that are currently not being used will be outfitted with lights and sirens in order to supplement the effort at traffic control.
  5. The Cabinet enquired about the progress made infinding missing persons. The Police assured the Cabinet that teams are dedicated to pursuing the outcomes for which the families are hoping. The Police indicated that many tips are being pursued, and that the public is encouraged to share whatever they may know with the authorities. They noted that the burnt-out car of one victim, and several stolen vehicles, found in bushes, resulted from continuous attention to the effort to find the victims. All manner of record-keeping are being pursued, the Police noted, and videos are being examined.

​

  1. The Cabinet applauded the Minister of Social Transformation for the planned opening of the Boys Training School, to be renamed The Bowers Rehabilitation Center, on Monday 24 February 2025. The Minister reported that the furniture and the equipment which had been slow to arrive have been delivered, the painting and other work have all been completed. The paving of the driveway is the last task to be undertaken and that will be complete within the next 48 hours. Eight boys are to be housed there.
  2. a. The Cabinet received a report from the Minister of Health and Wellness regarding the effort of a non-governmental organization from the USA to address blindness and failing eyesight of men, women and children within zones in the country. The NGO would undertake testing of the eyes of every resident, young and elderly, within a zone and, if required, provide free eyeglasses and cataract removal; the NGO would also test for glaucoma and other eye diseases, and provide medicines at no cost. The first zone would be defined from Big Creek to Old Road; the next zone would continue through John Hughes Swetes and St. Paul. The Cabinet gave its approval which the Minister would then convey and fix acceptable dates, times and venues. 30 experts will take part in the exercise.
  3. Three new doctors are to be added to the roster of the Sir Lester Bird Medical Center. A Pathologist will supplement the work of the sole doctor who now examines cadavers to determine the cause of death; a House Officer Surgeon will enlarge the number of surgeons who are on call daily; and, a Pediatrician who will deliver emergency medical care to children, will also be added to the staff. The efficiency of the lone public hospital in Antigua is constantly being examined, and the recommendations of the new Director of Medical Services are assessed by the Minister and others who then seek the support of the Cabinet.
  4. Ms. Shaveesa Gasper, having graduated from the Edna Manley School of Performing Arts, has returned home. A new opportunity has opened up for this talented young woman who will join the Ministry of the Creative Industries as a lecturer among other duties. This talented national received burns over 95% of her body and was flown to Martinique and eventually to France for surgery in 2018, which saved her life. The Cabinet was very pleased to learn of the outstanding work which she has undertaken during her studies and welcomed her aboard.
  5. Miss Malonda Massicott, a graduate of the UWI Cave Hill Campus, having earned a Master Degree in Statistics and Data Science, preceded by a Bachelor of Science Degree specializing in Development Economics, will join the Ministry of Health to undertake exacting data collection and collation that will help to present a more exact picture of the hospital’s performance and of the planned National Health Insurance scheme. The Cabinet extended congratulations to this very bright and high-achieving scholar for positioning herself to serve her country outstandingly.
  6. The Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda will convene on Tuesday, 25 February 2025, at 9:30 am. Several bills will receive their first reading; and five bills will be read a second and third time when debate will take place. The Regulations which will cause a user-fee to be imposed on those cars, trucks, buses and heavy-duty equipment that utilize the roadways, will also come before the Parliament.

2 Comments

  1. Stone
    Stone on Feb 20, 2025 at 10:08

    I must admit that I have not read or listened to the Cabinet notes for a long time because of Mr Max’s usual way of derailing the truth. Anyway I read them today and I am highly impressed with what went on yesterday. Now waiting to see if anything will come out of it

    Reply
  2. Luka Johnson
    Luka Johnson on Feb 20, 2025 at 10:16

    I think it’s always super important to take the disabled into account.

    Reply

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