Aldain Crump, the Former Director of Public Works
Aldin Crump has been officially removed from his position as the Director of Public Works. Reports indicate that the decision was made on Wednesday, and Crump has already been notified.
The dismissal comes after months of increasing pressure regarding the state of the road infrastructure in Antigua and Barbuda.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne previously issued a stern warning to Crump, giving him a 60-day deadline to rectify departmental issues or face the consequences.
“I told him, you either ship up or ship out,” PM Browne stated, emphasizing the importance of visible improvements in roadworks. “If we do not see significant progress by January, the Director will be removed.”
He made it clear that accountability was paramount, saying, “I’m holding him personally responsible.”
This shakeup marks the second significant administrative change in just 48 hours, following the removal of Permanent Secretary Rosa Greenaway after a week-long teachers’ protest over outstanding payments.
A political move on the political chest board. The person loses their job not because they are somewhat not performing well but because their actions or the conditions of the roads can somehow affect the image of the ABLP. Kinda reminds me of someone I know very well, they all just try to hold up an image. But now question to the people, are there any resources to actually fix these roads? The vehicle licensing fees was raised to what again? 40%? And this is said to aid in paying back the loan in which the government received or waiting to receive. I guess in my own thoughts that this will take some time as there has to be a plan and strategy in conducting the fixing of these roads right? Hmmm, so much and more Gaston will do to protect his pride. I’ve seen things like this right before my eyes
Finally, they got arid of the bad rubbish. Crump just look for kickbacks, no regard for road improvements. Thank you Gaston Briwne. The question now is, who’s next?
You fire the director but what about the minister? How do we never place the blame on the ministers? How much is he contributing to public works? Public works is not a place that’s selling things. The money that’s needed to do anything comes from THE GOVERNMENT. But you dismiss a man and not call out your government
Only a fool breaks his own heart
The government is serious about making valid steps! Not just to protect their name but to ensure that the work is being done. I stand with PM Browne on such a decision. It’s about time this major change happened. This MASSIVE Change is bigger than that of the Education Ministry change. We need proper roads, not people to sit in their chairs in there office and relax. If you’re not doing any work, hit the road
Gaston was sleeping in this decision man? It was damn well about time. And we don’t want another mediocre man over our roads. My Lexus needs proper roads to drive one.
Wow!!!! Maybe you shouldn’t have bought a lexus!!!!
It’s about time that they got rid of Crump. How on earth was he allowed to remain in that position for so long. So may u finished projects. The man was laid back…don’t blame the minister. This isn’t her ministry. She has no skills in this field. Please reshuffle your Cabinet. It’s about time.
It never should have been about friends and company. A nation’s development and the government’s commitment to the people should be in the hands of capable citizens regardless of their political affiliation. Country first.
I look forward to additional shakeups. Mr. PM you have nothing to lose.
Get the job done. Who vex can drink pepper water.
Well I think he was given ample time to make things right. I accuse Gaston of micromanaging now when he give people the fair chance to do the work and they don’t then all you accuse him of being heartlessness.
At least he wasn’t fired which is good.
Let’s see what the opposition have to say about that move
There are a couple of things at play here. The technicians at the various ministries should take warning on this latest move.
The goveenment has a right to expect quality work and professional work from each of them. The Government should hold them accountable for their lack of performance.
They the technicians are given specific responsibilities, not for the cabinet but for the people that pay their salaries.
I cannot honestly say I know what public works is doing where the roads are concern.
They seems disjointed and all over the place. We have people sitting in prestigious positions doing nothing.
I would ask the cabinet to look at the state of Health and National security while they are in the firing mood.
The second thing that is equally or even more important, is the Ministers that set these policies. Where are they in all of this?
Yes I agree hold the technicians accountable but what happen to the ministers they are not held to the same standards of accountability?
How is it that they are allowed to underperformed and is celebrated with knighthood but the technicians whom they are responsible for are sacked?
That seems a bit off. I would think that unless you have a technician that is defying policy decisions then their failure is the failure fo that Minister to set the right policy and hold their workers to account.
The last point I would like to make is this, are there the necessary resources in place to do the things that you require to be done?
You cannot give a man or woman straw basket to carry water. Did Mr. Crump had the necessary resources to get the Job done?
By resources I am not just speaking about money I am speaking about material and human capital as well.
To require results without providing the resources to accomplish those results is a fools goal.
We can all agree that the roads are bad and we can also agree that public works need serious assistance in the construction of these roads.
However we must also agree that scapegoating people to protect the incompetence of the ministers is utterly wrong.
The responsibility for the success of any ministry starts with the Minister. I don’t know if the PM is noticing, but almost every ministry is underperforming, education, health, national security works, agriculture immigration, telecoms, etc… you name them and their are heeps of complaints from the tax payers.
So I get it you wanted to make an example of Mr. Crump and the P.S in Education, now that u have done that please do the same for the other underperforming ministers/ministries as will.
I am waiting to see if this is done…
That is what happens when the PM puts a friend and company in these types of positions without inadequate resources like labourers, materials, finance and equipment… Gaston, you need to take a few leaves out of President Capt Ibrahim Traore’s book.
So these idiots went over to the Herbert’s to all saints connecting road and chop that road up.
It had cracks but could have stayed a lil.
While the Herbert’s to seaview farm road. Fulllllllll a pot holes.
Make it make sense. Plzzz.
Old Parham road at the junction of Simon Bolivar and wireless road . Flooding. Didn’t they just fix the sidewalk there .?
Public works engineers. Listen ya. Nah mek me harass Gaston bout this.
Please bring back the Cuban engineers and labourers to cross-train Public Work’s road staff!!! Another thing is that we should be sending our people on the Cuba scholarship 🇨🇺 to study in the field of civil engineering or road engineering. The country’s infrastructure needs serious development. After the roads have been constructed or built, Public Works must assign two sets of road crews to maintain this road and guttering structure by carrying out frequent preventative inspections. Once the wear-and-tear of the road is found, repairs should be carried out.
Always a mele in this little neighboring island of Antigua. The country of the world boss. Clean up time down here?
Good riddance to nonesense. I love my prime Minister. Doing what many have failed to do. Time to clean up the service. Everything falls back on you sir. Get ride of them. Weed them out. We have your support
Good riddance to nonesense. I love my prime Minister. Doing what many have failed to do. Time to clean up the service. Everything falls back on you sir. Get ride of them. Weed them out. We have your support
Lol it is just sad to see the way these ppl are handling things. Smh