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Dear Editor,
There have been a growing number of derelict vehicles across Antigua. These abandoned cars and trucks are scattered in residential areas, along roadways, and even near schools and businesses creating not only an eyesore but also a genuine public nuisance.
These vehicles have been left to deteriorate for years gathering rust, leaking fluids, attracting rodents and insects, and reducing property values in nearby communities.
For a country that relies heavily on tourism, the presence of these eye-crushing vehicles sends the wrong message to visitors and undermines efforts to keep our island clean and welcoming.
Derelict vehicles pose safety hazards, most particularly to children playing nearby and environmental threats due to leaking oil, fuel, and other toxins seeping into the ground.
I’m left to ask, Who’s responsible for taking old, abandoned and neglected vehicles from our community?
I urge the authorities to address this issue with urgency. There should be clear enforcement of vehicle disposal laws and consequences for those who abandon their vehicles in public spaces.
A coordinated effort between the government, local councils, and private sector (such as scrap and towing companies) could help remove these hazards efficiently.
Antigua and Barbuda is a beautiful nation, and we all have a role in protecting its appearance and health. Dealing with the problem of derelict vehicles is a step in the right direction.
Timothy Wilson
An eyessore to the general public, our vistors and our children. Somehow i find the government to don’t care if the way these things affect us or our country. The carelessness of people also comes to mind. Why leave a vehicle just abandoned? if you no longer need the vehicle or cannot fix it, make arrangements for it to be disposed.
Thank God someone spoke up. Cause its been too long for such a madness. Why leave a vehicle on the roads if you no long want them? Making the country look nasty
I’ve complained about this same issue and my solution is as follows…place stickers as a warning to violators giving a set time to voluntarily remove the vehicle(s) and the consequences of not doing so. If not removed within said time, tow it/them to a scrap yard and sell to recoup expenses associated with disposal. We have to have a sense of civic pride taking accountability for keeping our communities clean, orderly and attractive. Enough with the ghetto, nasty, trashy, derelict mentality.
I’ve complained of this and here’s my solution… place a sticker on the vehicle giving the owner a set time for its removal and consequences of not doing so. After set time expires, tow it to the scrap yard and sell it to recoup associated expenses. We have to have civic pride in keeping our communities clean orderly and attractive and getting rid of the ghetto, nasty, derelict mindset.
The police is responsible but at the same time very don’t give a #$## about it
When the police try to remove these vehicles the owners come out of the woodwork to claim them.
They are then given time to remove them but they still don’t claiming they need them for parts ect.
Too many nasty people bout the place
Why do you guys blame the state or police for everything. Come on. People have their old vehicles and just park them anywhere and leave them. I see the same thing relating to the way people just throw garbage out of their windows. Or dump baby diappers everywhere. People are quick to blame others for their nastyness
I completely agree! The increase in derelict vehicles in Antigua is really concerning. It’s not just an eyesore; it poses safety hazards, especially near schools and businesses where children and families are present. We, even people like me who attend college need to find a way to address this issue before it gets worse.The buck stops with us. We are not too young to tell our parents…hey daddy the vehicle old and not running and wont work again so lets get it disposed the right way.
Y’all antiguans love living in filth, it’s going on almost a decade some of these vehicles are on the street. Don’t y’all see your leadership doesn’t care about this issue or any issues you antiguans have. This place is such a joke town….
These cars are icebergs/ SORE EYES across the entire country and creating accidents. The country needs to be cleaned up. Stop using the roads as mechanic shops ..
The Ministers responsible for those areas should be held accountable for keeping their arears Clean. They are the ones for keeping their community in Pristine condition.