Cabinet has approved an agreement between the Ministry of Health, Wellness, the Environment and Public Service Affairs and Atlantic Ship Breakers Antigua Limited for the removal, processing and export of scrap metal from Antigua and Barbuda, with work centred initially on the Cooks landfill.

The agreement forms part of the government’s ongoing efforts to improve environmental conditions, enhance public safety and restore land occupied by accumulated scrap metal and derelict materials.

Cabinet was advised that the arrangement will facilitate the clearing and rehabilitation of the site at no direct cost to the government.

Under the terms of the agreement, Atlantic Ship Breakers Antigua Limited will be responsible for mobilising all equipment, personnel and resources necessary to undertake the project.

The company will carry out the removal, processing, compacting and loading of all identified scrap metal, maintain certified weighing and record-keeping systems and arrange for the transportation and export of the materials in accordance with applicable laws.

Director General for Communications in the Prime Minister’s Office, Maurice Merchant, said there are currently more than 300 derelict vehicles at the Cooks landfill. He noted that the company’s mandate is strictly limited to materials already in the possession of the government through its removal campaign.

“It’s not a case whereby this agreement gives this company the authorisation to go around Antigua and Barbuda in search of scrap material or derelict vehicles,” he said. “They must be in the possession of the government through its removal campaign and then this company will come and remove and ship to the United States.”

Merchant acknowledged that derelict vehicles remain a widespread problem, noting that one minister had counted at least 43 such vehicles in a small, condensed area of his constituency.

He said recycling of other materials, including used tyres, is also part of the Ministry’s broader programme incorporating the National Solid Waste Management Authority and the Central Board of Health.

The processed scrap material will be exported to the United States, with a specific receiving state already identified.

“There is already an arrangement on which state the material will go and how the material will be processed, free of charge, no expenses to the government of Antigua and Barbuda,” Merchant said.