ABLP unveils “Renaissance” manifesto with $1.5B tourism pipeline, health expansions and housing revolution as centrepieces of fourth-term bid

The Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) launched its general election manifesto today at the American University of Antigua Conference Centre, pitching a 1.5 billion US dollar tourism investment pipeline and an expanded housing and health programme as part of the party’s bid for a fourth consecutive term in office.

The 100-page document was unveiled before ABLP supporters, business leaders, diplomats, youth, with Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transport and Investment Charles Fernandez and Minister of Works and Housing Maria Browne delivering substantive policy addresses ahead of the Prime Minister’s keynote.

Fernandez, who is seeking to retain his St John’s Rural North seat, framed tourism as the central driver of the party’s economic agenda and outlined a series of major capital projects he said would collectively attract approximately 1.5 billion US dollars in investment over the next 24 to 36 months.

“Tourism is not merely an industry in Antigua and Barbuda. It is the lifeblood of our economy. It is the engine of growth, the foundation of thousands of livelihoods, and one of the strongest pillars supporting our national development,” Fernandez said.

Among the projects cited were the US $465 million development at Half Moon Bay, the US $400 million Nikki Beach Residences, a US $40 million Buccaneer Beach project, a new Marriott Hotel at Yepton Beach, the renovation of Jolly Beach Resort, a 55 million US dollar upgrade of the V.C. Bird International Airport, a 40 million US dollar waterfront development and a 23 million US dollar local brewery venture.

Fernandez also announced that the Ediacaran Hotel Limited Long Bay development is scheduled to break ground in May, while La Mer Estate, a luxury residential development in Willoughby Bay, has entered phase one with 10 of 44 units already under construction.

“Our vision is not tourism for tourism’s sake,” Fernandez said. “It is tourism for jobs, tourism for earnings, tourism for enterprise, tourism for ownership and opportunity for the people of Antigua and Barbuda.”

Maria Browne, Minister of Housing and Works and St John’s Rural East MP, outlined the party’s infrastructure and housing commitments, describing the sector as the “foundation of the renaissance.”

Browne noted that the over 100 million dollars the government has secured for the redevelopment of All Saints Road and to rehabilitate roads and drains nationwide, which has yet to be drawn down by the government.

She listed Sir George Walter Highway, Friars Hill Road, Old Parham Road, Anchorage Road, Valley Road North and Sir Sydney Walling Highway among the corridors already rebuilt under the current administration.

“In this Renaissance, roads are not cosmetic. They are economic lifelines,” Browne said. “They reduce cost, improve safety, support business, and connect opportunity to every doorstep.”

On housing, Browne committed the party to delivering at least 120 new homes in 2026 through the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHAPA) in Bolans, Glanvilles and North Sound, with a further 150 homes to be added by National Housing.

She said the Booby Alley project will be completed, and new projects are scheduled for St Johnson’s Village, to be undertaken by CHAPA following the relocation of Clarevue Hospital to Seaview Farm, as well as a new development in Cedar Valley later this year.

Browne also announced the introduction of a Rent-to-Own Housing Programme targeted at working families who do not yet qualify for a mortgage, along with the release of 50 acres of land at McPond in All Saints.

She explained that 35 acres would be made available for affordable residential plots with flexible long-term payment options, while the remaining land would be used to regularise tenure for families already occupying the land.

“Land ownership must not be out of reach for ordinary people,” Browne said. “This is what fairness looks like. This is what empowerment feels like.”

**CLICK HERE FOR LINK TO FULL MANIFESTO**