HURST REPORTS ON CABINET of Wednesday 4 March 2025

The Cabinet began its meeting with a sermonette and a short prayer by a Methodist Minister. He addressed the Cabinet on “wisdom”, both “earthly and heavenly”.

1. The Cabinet members held a discussion around the announcements made by US President Trump in his State-of-the-Union address to both House of Congress. Although no-one can predict the impact resulting from this period of chaos, the US Stock Market and other economic indicators have shown a decline in value since the President assumed office six weeks ago. Any decline in US GDP will no doubt impact the destinations which US tourists visit, since travel and tourism are regarded as luxury spend. The Cabinet agreed that it would await the pronouncements and other actions which were announced by the US President before taking any policy decisions.

2. The Cabinet invited several officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and a private farmer to sit with members over lunch to discuss increasing food security, by producing more poultry-meats, eggs, fruits and vegetables. It was agreed that water storage by farmers is absolutely necessary in light of the tendency to drought and floods, in this uncertain climate. Global climate-change has resulted in unusual patterns of rainfall and drought; therefore, storing rain and runoff is necessary on every farm and would therefore require the building of many small and large damps. Although self-sufficient in egg production, the cost of chicken feed is likely to increase overtime; therefore, local production of poultry feed is likely to become a necessity if prices are to be held down. The Cabinet will continue to encourage backyard gardening and increased food production across the country. The abandoned coconut plantation in Barbuda, for example, is to be put to productive use working with the Barbuda Council.

3. The Cabinet invited the Principal of the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA) and its legal team to address the members on two issues:

a. Aircraft Registration as a new non-tax-revenue source. Unlike the Antigua and Barbuda Department of Maritime Services (ADOMS) which registers hundreds of vessels, the ECCAA has only nine aircraft on its register: three LIAT aircraft, four Calvin Ayre helicopters, and two other private airplanes. Many high-income earners who visit Antigua and Barbuda own their private jets and fly them into Antigua and into Barbuda. The registration fee is determined by the type of aircraft so that a Golf Stream jet, for example, one of the more popular private jets that fly into the jurisdiction, pay no more than an SUV owner pays now for registration, and the revenue goes exclusively to ECCAA. A license fee for airworthiness is also charged. Registration and license require an inspector with expertise in the aircraft type, if they are to be registered in Antigua and Barbuda. Legislation governing ECCAA would have to be altered to allow for revenue-sharing, since the fees for the license and registration now go exclusively to ECCAA.

b. Returning the ECCA States back to a Category One status: The Cabinet was informed that the legislation that was required of the ECCA states has just about all been placed before their parliaments. The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA-USA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) both monitor the state of readiness of all seven of the destinations. They make a risk assessment which determines the Category into which the ECCAA States fall. The ECCAA has assured the Cabinet that it will employ two additional experts in order to fulfill all the obligations that will return ECCAA States to Category One status. Three tasks must be undertaken: i. To amend existing legislation; ii. To update regulations; iii. To prepare to undertake more inspections.

4. The Cabinet invited APUA’s Management team to address the issue of the deepening of the channel in the North Sound Area to accommodate vessels carrying tanks of Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) and vessels bearing supplies of cement. Under the current agreement, APUA meets the financial cost of dredging and preparing the channel to receive bigger vessels that now utilize the channel leading to Crabbes. APUA is charged with ensuring that the monies spent are in exchange for valued work. The APUA gave Cabinet the assurance that the amount dredged in February 2025 reflect the quantum of monies paid. Each month APUA will be called upon to give an accounting of the work completed in the North Sound Channel.

5. The Cabinet invited three officials from the University of The West Indies (UWI) Five Islands Campus development team who have the responsibility for overseeing the expansion project that is beginning to take place. The officials reported that geo-technical studies, where the new primary school is to be placed, have revealed some unexpected soil formations that require some review of the foundation drawings for the new Five Islands Primary School, than had originally been done to ensure that the buildings are safely constructed. This process is expected to be completed shortly. 

6. The Cabinet continued its discussion on drawing well-off Antiguan and Barbudan citizens into the profitable hospitality sector. Crown land which allows for ocean view is being set aside for sale to citizens of Antigua and Barbuda, for the construction of luxury rental-homes that form part of the hospitality product. Several Antiguans and Barbudans have stepped-forward and are being examined for capacity. Meanwhile, sample luxury homes are to be constructed on each of the sites in order to provide a living example of the quality of residences to be constructed.

7. i. The Cabinet’s attention was drawn to a video showing an elderly male being arrested by the police. Members were informed that an investigation is taking place and that the Cabinet will await the results of the investigation before it makes any pronouncements. ii. The Cabinet decided to strengthen its relations with the Antigua and Barbudan Diaspora in several North American Cities; since New York City is home to the largest number of nationals from Antigua and Barbuda, the very first support system—external to the United Nations Mission and the Consulate in New York—will likely be appointed within weeks. iii. In light of the disasters suffered by several low-income families, including fires that destroy their homes, the Cabinet has agreed to strengthen the HAPPI Programme by providing a cash grant that would enlarge its capability to help those who are unable to provide for themselves. iv. The Cabinet agreed to amend the law governing the operation of hotels and hospitality centres by making mandatory the possibility of workers collecting tips. Many all-inclusive hotels do not allow their staff to receive tips, but to rely instead upon a service charge which is divided among selected staff. It is reported that the service charge is sometimes utilized to top-up management staff.