Prime Minister Gaston Browne in Parliament. (Photo by Robert Emmanuel)
The government has announced an extensive $100 million road construction initiative, poised to be one of the most significant infrastructure projects in recent memory.
Funding for this extensive roadworks programme will be sourced from a recent 40% hike in vehicle licensing fees, a decision implemented earlier this year.
During a recent session in Parliament, Prime Minister Gaston Browne revealed plans to involve local contractors in the construction efforts, emphasizing that a competitive bidding process will be utilized to allocate contracts.
Browne clarified that while the process might not follow a traditional open tender format, contractors will still be required to submit bids for various sections of the project, with the Ministry of Public Works committed to selecting the most advantageous proposals.
This announcement was made in response to inquiries from Richard Lewis, the United Progressive Party (UPP) MP for St. John’s Rural West.
Quantity surveyors from the ministry will perform cost evaluations and establish necessary price benchmarks to ensure transparency and adherence to budgetary guidelines.
Additionally, the lending bank plans to appoint an independent contractor and external evaluators to oversee quality and costs.
To maintain oversight, an oversight committee has already been constituted, chaired by Financial Secretary Rasona Davis-Crump.
Formed six weeks ago, this committee’s primary responsibility is to ensure financial accountability and prevent fund mismanagement.
Local contractors? Is it that public works don’t have a say in the road fixing?
It would be good if contractors collaborate on such a project. Too many foreigners are part and parcel to these major projects and our contractors who are very knowledgeable gets the little bits and pieces
Using local contractors is a win-win. we fix the roads and keep the money circulating in the economy.
Yes but are the local contractors doing a good job. Thats the better question we must ask. Because there isnt many road works that we could say was or is spectacular.
Another ‘big project’ announcement with no clear plan. Watch the money disappear and the roads stay the same.
As long as the work is exceptionally
done, is inspected every step of the way, and the money does indeed go to building these roads because we are sorely in need of excellent roadways throughout the nation.
As a contractor in Antigua and Barbuda, I have serious reservations about the government’s recent announcement regarding the $100 million road construction initiative. While the investment in infrastructure is crucial, the decision to fund it through a significant hike in vehicle licensing fees feels more like a burden on the already struggling citizens rather than a thoughtful approach to development.
Moreover, while I appreciate the emphasis on involving local contractors, the promise of a competitive bidding process raises concerns. Remember we have been living here for a long time and we know how it go here . In practice, we often see larger firms dominate these projects, leaving smaller, local builders like myself at a disadvantage. If the government truly wants to support local businesses, it should ensure that the bidding process is transparent and accessible, with a clear commitment to prioritizing local expertise and labor. Don’t say we aren’t speaking the truth.
Finally, the timeline and oversight of such a massive initiative need careful consideration. In Antigua and Barbuda, we’ve seen too many infrastructure projects in the past suffer from delays and budget overruns.
It’s important right now, that the government not only prioritizes local contractors but also maintains rigorous standards for project management and accountability throughout the entire process. Otherwise, this initiative risks becoming another missed opportunity for real, lasting development in our community.
The contractors have already been selected. This is just a gimmick
This project just needs to get off the ground already because the roads are getting worst with each passing day.
The hurricane season starts in less than two weeks and we need the roads to be in a state of preparedness to avoid disruption to the flow of people and traffic