Vehicles block the road in protest at Public Works building (screenshot of George Wehner)
Management at the Public Works Department is currently meeting to address and resolve a payment dispute that prompted a protest by truckers on Tuesday morning.
The demonstration resulted in government-owned trucks being used to block the access road leading to the Ministry of Works on Denry Lane, as contractors demanded payment for outstanding monies they say are owed for services rendered to the department.
When contacted by Antigua.news, officials at the Ministry confirmed that the matter is under active discussion at the management level.
Officials indicated that efforts are being made to clarify the issues surrounding the outstanding payments and reach a resolution with the affected truckers. Further details are expected once the meeting concludes.
There is a stark disparity in how contractors are being compensated by the government. Prime Minister Gaston Browne and various cabinet ministers allegedly receive regular monthly disbursements for their private trucking services. Meanwhile, ordinary citizens and local contractors are facing severe financial hardship. Many young Antiguans have invested their life savings into heavy equipment and backhoe operations as their sole source of income, yet they face chronic payment delays. The Public Works Department routinely forwards monthly payment vouchers to the Treasury for equipment serviced by government officials, while deliberately withholding the vouchers of independent, small-scale operators.
Good to see both sides meeting.
So should home owners go down to national housing and protest the shabby work they get under the program