**REPORT FROM THE CABINET OF ANTIGUA AND BARBUDAMEETING OF WEDNESDAY 20 th AUGUST 2025**

**Wednesday’s Cabinet Meeting was chaired by Prime Minister the Honourable Gaston Browne** following a two week break during the summer period. The Prayers before Cabinet was led by an Anglican Priest who read from Luke 10: 25-37 the Parable of the Good Samaritan. The Parable teaches that being a true neighbor means showing compassion and mercy to anyone in need, regardless of race, religion, or social barriers. The Priests prayed that members of the Cabinet in the execution of their duties will be like the good Samaritan by building relationships and being good servants of the people.

1. The Cabinet, led by Prime Minister the Hon. Gaston Browne, opened this week’s session by commending the Hon. Minister for Carnival on the outstanding success of this year’s celebrations. Members praised the organizers and stakeholders for staging festivities of the highest standard, executed with precision and excellence.Special recognition was also given to fete organizers, whose well-managed events set the tone for an extraordinary Carnival season. The Cabinet further applauded the overwhelming public support, noting the visible joy and national pride expressed throughout the festivities. Members agreed that this sense of happiness is directly linked to the strong performance of the Gaston Browne administration, which has elevated the economy, infrastructure, healthcare, and education to levels unmatched in recent history.The Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda and the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force were commended for their professionalism and vigilance in maintaining peace and security, ensuring that crime remained at an all-time low during the celebrations. Equally, the Central Board of Health (CBH) received high praise for its tireless efforts in restoring St. John’s and surrounding areas to pristine condition after each event.Cabinet noted that CBH employees have consistently set an exceptional standard of service following national events. While expressing gratitude, Cabinet also renewed its call for citizens to demonstrate greater civic pride by helping to keep the city and the nation clean.

2. The Hon. Minister for Festivals informed Cabinet that a 105-member national contingent of artists and support staff will travel this week to Barbados to participate in CARIFESTA XV – the premier celebration of Caribbean culture and creativity.

The delegation will showcase Antigua and Barbuda’s rich cultural heritage through diverse artistic expressions, including:

• Hellsgate Steel Orchestra
• The National Youth Theatre
• The National Dance Theatre
• Visual and Craft Arts
• Literary Arts
• Caribbean Pop Music and DJs
• Culinary Arts
• Film Practitioners
• And the internationally acclaimed Burning FlamesThe group also includes a management team, media and technical officials, and 20 schoolchildren who will gain invaluable cultural exposure and experience.Prime Minister the Hon. Gaston Browne, Minister Maria Browne, Minister Daryll Matthew, Minister Shenella Govia, Ambassador Elizabeth Makhoul, and other officials are expected to attend and participate in aspects of the ten-day regional festival.

3. The Cabinet continued its discussions on the government’s plan to consolidate bond obligations owed to Social Security Scheme, explore strategies to leverage the Jolly Beach property as an investment vehicle, and advance a broader vision for the long-term sustainability of the pension fund.

On Wednesday, Cabinet approved an immediate allocation of $20 million to renovate 33 rooms at Jolly Beach Resort, construct a 500-person capacity conference facility, and upgrade the hotel’s sewage system, as well as its internet and communications infrastructure. Upon completion of the renovations, the hotel’s total room count will increase to 351, with works expected to be finished in time for the next tourism season.

The government also announced plans to consolidate all arrears to the Social Security Scheme, inject approximately $75 million into the Jolly Beach Resort, and issue a $450 million bond over a five-year period, at 3% initially and 5% thereafter. These measures aim to transform Jolly Beach Hotel into a major investment prospect for Social Security.

Once fully renovated and expanded, the resort will be vested in the Social Security Board, turning a previously non-performing government obligation into a revenue-generating asset. This strategy will provide Social Security with:

• Long-term capital appreciation
• Steady operational income; and
• The ability to resell rooms under the Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP)The Prime Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to:
• Sustain Social Security without raising the pension age or contribution rates
• Maximize the value of underutilized national assets
• Collaborate constructively with Social Security leadership to finalize the investment structureThe Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda will convene on Monday, 25th August, to debate the proposal for Social Security to invest in Jolly Beach Resort. Parliament will also consider amendments to the CIP legislation in response to concerns raised by the United States and the European Union.

4. Following a report by the Minister for Agriculture on the state of Antigua and Barbuda’s agriculture sector, the Cabinet commended the Hon. Minister Anthony Smith for his outstanding efforts in revitalizing the industry. More farmers are now benefiting from government support, leading to increased food production across the country.The government has procured heavy-duty equipment to assist farmers, some of which are already in operation. Over 15,000 slips of the renowned Black Antigua pineapple have been planted at Cades Bay, and a Plant Tissue Laboratory is currently under construction to support fruit production. Additionally, the Ministry has begun constructing dams and ponds across the island to ensure farmers have adequate access to fresh water.The Minister also reported that all equipment for a new abattoir has been purchased, along with a new steel-frame building, which is expected to arrive in the country within the next ninety days.Cabinet members were also briefed on plans for this year’s PiAngo Festival, which will highlight agro-production of key products, including pineapple, mangoes, and other fruits and vegetables. Originally postponed due to a pending storm, the festival is now scheduled to take place on August 24 at the Cades Bay Agricultural Station.In other developments, the Cabinet announced that 150 parcels of land in the Olivers area will soon be available for housing development. Through the National Housing Company, surveying and infrastructure work will commence in the coming weeks to make the lands ready for purchase.

5. The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda this week continued discussions on a national housing renewal initiative aimed at replacing derelict structures, expanding the delivery of affordable housing using modern construction techniques, and enhancing inter-agency collaboration in housing and social development. As part of this initiative, the Cabinet approved the creation of a Social Housing Development Fund with an initial injection of $3 million. The government will also acquire a block plant to produce construction blocks to be sold at concessional rates to low-income and vulnerable citizens.

In tandem with housing renewal, a dedicated unit will be established to demolish derelict buildings across the country, working closely with the Central Board of Health, the Ministry of Social Transformation, the National Solid Waste Management Authority, and the Development Control Authority. Cabinet further emphasized the planting of fruit and ornamental trees, pledging support to the Ministry of Agriculture, the Department of the Environment, and National Housing to meet the target of planting one million trees annually.

The government is also accelerating efforts to clean and beautify the nation. Excavators, heavy-duty trucks, and other equipment have been mobilized to assist in monthly community clean-up campaigns. Complementing these physical improvements, public education initiatives will promote proper waste disposal, recycling, and civic participation, reinforcing that maintaining a clean, green, and healthy country is a shared responsibility.

6. With the approval of a local cremation service in Antigua and Barbuda, the Ministry for Health, Wellness and the Environment sought and received Cabinet’s approval for the establishment of a number of rules to guide the management of cremation in Antigua and Barbuda.In short, the rules outline the following:

• **Approval & Registration:** Crematoria must be approved by the Minister and registered with the Central Board of Health; embalmers must be licensed. Annual inspections and fees are required.
• **Medical Certification:** A valid death certificate is mandatory; coroners may intervene for sudden or unexplained deaths.
• **Application & Authorization:** Family or authorized persons apply; the Central Board of Health grants permission for cremation.
• **Cremation Process:** Identity verification, removal of medical implants, and proper handling of medical/metal residues are required. Separate cremation for individuals unless special cases apply.
• **Ash Disposal:** Ashes may be returned to applicants or stored in a columbarium; unclaimed ashes require notification. A register of all cremations must be maintained, and official authorization is required for interment in cemeteries or other disposal methods.

Here is a more detailed explanation of the essential procedures and regulatory requirements:

1. ** _Crematorium Establishment and Operation_**

• The Minister, advised by the Chief Health Inspector, can approve sites for cremation.
• Crematoria must be registered with the Central Board of Health before operation.
• Regulations cover construction, management, annual registration, and inspection (between January and March) with associated fees.
• Embalmers must be licensed under the Public Health Act.
• The Central Board of Health can closure a crematorium for sanitary breaches or expired registration/licensing.

2. ** _Medical Certification and Notification_**

• Applicants must provide personal details (name, relationship, contact info, proof of identity) and a valid death certificate in English with cause of death and other key details.
• Coroners are involved in cases of sudden or unexplained death.
• Shipping cremated remains requires certified documents, embalmer’s affidavit, a letter confirming non-contagious disease, and proof of deceased’s citizenship.

**_3. Application and Authorisation_**

• Family members or authorized persons apply for cremation.
• The Central Board of Health grants formal authorization for cremation as a method of disposal.

**_4. Cremation Process and Documentation_**

• The identity of the deceased must be verified; identification markers remain with the body throughout cremation.
• Separate cremation for each individual, except in special cases (e.g., mother and child, twins) if requested.
• Removal of medical devices/implants before cremation.
• Metal residues and medical waste are managed according to Ministry of Health protocols.
• A waste management plan must always be maintained.

**_5. Disposal of Ash_**

• Ashes may be returned to the applicant or stored in a columbarium if uncollected.
• The authority must notify applicants via registered letter if ashes remain unclaimed after a period (two weeks).
• A register of all cremations must be maintained.
• Central Board of Health authorization is required for interment in public cemeteries or other disposal methods.