Prime Minister and St. John’s City West MP, Gaston Browne, says the government is preparing to engage the Harmonites Steel Orchestra as part of ongoing efforts to ensure residents of Point and Villa directly benefit from the massive transformation taking place within the constituency.

Speaking on the extensive redevelopment of the area, Browne described the changes as a form of “urban rebuilding” that has fundamentally reshaped one of Antigua and Barbuda’s most historic communities.

The Prime Minister highlighted several major projects that have injected significant investment into the area, including the modernization of the cargo and cruise ports, the Global Ports development, and the Booby Alley Housing Project.

According to Browne, the combined value of these initiatives amounts to hundreds of millions of dollars concentrated within a relatively small geographical area.

“Between the cargo port and the cruise port, we spent over half a billion dollars. Then you have Global Ports, which is over $100 million EC, and Booby Alley, which is nearly another $100 million. That’s about $700 million invested right there,” he said.

He added that when government concessions, including duty and tax exemptions associated with the developments, are factored in, the total value of investments in the Point and Villa communities over recent years approaches EC$1 billion.

As redevelopment continues, Browne said his administration is committed to ensuring that community organisations and residents share in the economic opportunities being created.

To that end, he disclosed plans to hold discussions with Harmonites Steel Orchestra on ways to improve the band’s facilities while also creating new avenues for local entrepreneurship.

“I want to talk to Harmonites Steel Orchestra to find out how we can partner with them to get a better pan yard,” the Prime Minister said.

Browne suggested that sections of the land occupied by the steel orchestra could potentially accommodate small commercial enterprises, creating opportunities for residents to establish businesses such as bakeries, pastry shops and other community-based ventures.

The Prime Minister revealed that he has already asked Port Manager Darwin Telemaque to begin discussions with the steel orchestra to identify possible areas of cooperation and development.

He said the government’s overarching goal is to ensure that the economic transformation of Point and Villa translates into tangible benefits for the people who call the communities home.

“We want to make sure that the redevelopment benefits the residents of Point and Villa and creates opportunities that improve their quality of life,” Browne said.