Government expands housing support with new building materials shipment and broadened duty waiver

Cabinet has approved the importation of a new shipment of building materials valued at just over one million dollars, expected to arrive in Antigua within two weeks, as the government simultaneously expands its duty waiver programme to cover home renovations alongside new construction.

Director General for Communications in the Prime Minister’s Office, Maurice Merchant, made the announcement at Thursday’s post-Cabinet media briefing, noting that the incoming shipment follows a previous importation of materials worth one million dollars just weeks ago.

The materials will be channelled through the government’s housing assistance programme to address urgent needs including roof repairs, structural improvements, and the replacement of deteriorating boards and fixtures.

“This shipment will directly support the Government’s Assistance Programme, which provides building materials to less fortunate households to address critical needs such as roof repairs, structural improvements, and replacement of rotting boards and leaks,” Merchant said.

In addition to the new shipment, Cabinet has broadened the existing Construct Antigua-Barbuda Initiative (CABI) to include renovations, a category previously excluded from the duty waiver.

Under the expanded measure, a waiver on all duties and taxes on building materials, including blocks and cement, will now apply to renovation projects up to a total value of $100,000.

“This extension of the duty waiver programme will further reduce the cost of building and renovation materials for homeowners and builders,” Merchant said.

Merchant also confirmed that the block-making plant in the Parham area has commenced production.

He said the modalities for selling blocks to members of the public are being worked out, and that Minister for Social and Urban Transformation, Rawdon Turner, would make a public announcement on the matter in the coming days.