The government of Antigua and Barbuda has announced a renewed push to eliminate outdoor bathroom facilities across the country, describing the initiative as long overdue.

Minister for Social and Urban Transformation, Roland Turner, said the programme aims to ensure every affected household is fitted with a proper indoor bathroom.

He said homes identified through government assessments will receive direct interventions, with work carried out under existing social protection programmes.

“It was long past time for outdoor toilets in Antigua,” Mr Turner said, adding that community members and organisations are being encouraged to participate by contacting the Social Protection Board.

The initiative forms part of wider efforts under the Housing Assistance Programme Initiative (HAPI), which focuses on improving living conditions for vulnerable households.

The government recently announced the arrival of building materials valued at more than EC$1m, which will be distributed to households most in need. Officials say the materials are already being used to repair and rebuild homes damaged or lost, as well as those in severely dilapidated conditions.

Mr Turner said the expansion of the programme has highlighted the need for additional labour to meet construction demands.