Sir Steadroy Benjamin speaks at St. John’s redevelopment consultation (screenshot of state media)
Attorney General and St. John’s City South MP Sir Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin has issued a blistering condemnation of the deteriorating state of St. John’s, warning that the government is prepared to take draconian action against negligent property owners if conditions do not improve.
Speaking passionately about the capital’s decline, Sir Steadroy said the city is now in a worse condition than at any point in his lifetime, describing parts of St. John’s as unsafe, unsanitary, and disgraceful.
“These buildings have become rat traps,” he said, pointing to abandoned and poorly maintained structures that have generated repeated complaints from health officials and residents alike. According to the Attorney General, some buildings pose serious physical dangers, with reports of people falling through weakened floors and sidewalks, while others provide cover for criminal activity.
He further warned that uncontrolled garbage, abandoned boxes, and derelict properties are contributing to rodent infestations so severe that residents have reported rats “as big as cats.”
Sir Steadroy said the government has already offered assistance, including providing paint to help property owners improve the appearance of their buildings, but stressed that too many owners have failed to take responsibility.
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“If you don’t take care of your buildings, we will take care of you,” he warned, revealing plans to push for increased fines and stronger enforcement through Parliament.
The Attorney General also criticised the lack of coordination among business owners, particularly on Friday evenings when shops close and piles of garbage are left unattended along the streets.
“Why can’t property owners organise a private garbage collection?” he asked, noting that unattended waste attracts stray animals and leaves the city looking “absolutely disgusting.”
Calling for a return to civic pride, Sir Steadroy reflected on a time when residents routinely cleaned outside their homes and businesses and took pride in their surroundings.
“This country is better than this,” he said, adding that visitors and tourists frequently photograph visibly deteriorated areas such as Market Street and Tanner Street — images that do not reflect the true potential of Antigua and Barbuda.
He urged residents, business owners, and government agencies to work together to reclaim the capital, emphasising that the government stands ready to assist but will not tolerate continued neglect.
“Let us get back our city,” Sir Steadroy pleaded. “Let us maintain it so we can be proud of St. John’s and proud of Antigua and Barbuda.”
The business owners can afford to pay and buy paint give the paint to the poor, market street first, let the kids at Abice school can help paint and repair the elderly houses, please visit the Spanish bars, the running down the neighborhoods, large trash pick up is needed badly once a month. Thank You For caring.
A suggestion to collaboration, where the suggesting group offers nothing but criticisms, is no collaboration at all.
A good example is the issue of garbage collection. The question shouldn’t be whether private collection is available, but why public collection is and has been insufficient.
It’s just another example of the government being caught with their pants down, and pointing the finger to the people… As is shown, they can barely keep up with their own buildings, so who are they to suggest who has enough resources to fix theirs, beyond function?
It looks like extortion, with a bow.
“government is prepared to take draconian action against negligent property owners if conditions do not improve”. I believe that’s an idle threat. This government is very forgiving and extends too much grace
Things have really gotten out of hand; action is long overdue
How about working to catch those young criminals who are robbing businesses and people with the greatest of ease? That is a greater priority than the optics of a building but again this has always been the MO of ABLP. Always concentrating on the wrong thing: bringing in one set of Male nurses to disturb our cultural psyche. Are they going to be deployed in the Maternity ward? Children ward? Meanwhile, someone is being creatively enriched.