Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Insists on addressing littering, unauthorized vending, and neglected properties In Beautification Drive

Antigua Government Plans National Beautification and Urban Renewal

Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced initiatives to enhance Antigua and Barbuda’s public spaces by addressing littering, unauthorized vending, and neglected properties.

Speaking on Pointe FM, Browne outlined steps to preserve the islands’ natural beauty while instilling a sense of pride in the local landscape.

A key focus of the plan includes tackling unauthorized vending in pristine public spaces, an issue Browne described as “a form of lawlessness.”

He referenced a recent instance where vehicles were displayed for sale on the public sidewalk along Old Palm Road, obstructing pedestrian access and detracting from the area’s appearance. Businesses, Browne argued, should operate from designated premises rather than appropriating public spaces.

To foster a more visually appealing environment, the government will introduce a tree-planting program featuring palms, flowering plants, and fruit trees along major roads, building on recent landscaping efforts on Friars Hill Road.

“Our islands are naturally beautiful, yet we need to treat them with more respect,” Browne said, adding that responsible waste management and care for public spaces are essential.

Browne also addressed the widespread issue of derelict properties owned by individuals abroad, which create health and security risks and contribute to urban decay.

Plans to resolve this issue include assigning liens to neglected properties for the cost of cleaning or demolishing them, with these liens potentially sold to investors interested in urban renewal.

To further incentivize maintenance, properties with overdue taxes may be auctioned, with excess sale proceeds held in an interest-bearing escrow account for the original owners.

Browne noted that these actions will benefit urban areas, especially in St. John’s, by freeing up space for housing and business development while maintaining respect for property rights.

“Antigua and Barbuda deserves a landscape we can all take pride in,” he concluded, encouraging all residents to support the nation’s beautification and renewal efforts.

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