CABINET NOTES: Managers of the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) were invited to Cabinet this week to present on the Authority’s ongoing beautification and sanitation efforts across Antigua and Barbuda.

During the comprehensive presentation, Cabinet took a close and detailed look at the current state of public spaces, roadways, drains, watercourses, and residential communities. A number of priority problem areas were identified for immediate redress, including illegal dumping, litter accumulation, overgrown trees, excessive shrubbery, and blocked drains.

Following the review, Cabinet endorsed intensified clean-up and beautification thrust. Multiple teams have been mobilized, reassigned and assigned to targeted communities to undertake:

• Removal of litter and bulky waste

• Clearing of overgrown trees, bushes, and shrubbery

• Cleaning of drains and watercourses

• General enhancement of public spaces and road verges

This initiative will be executed in collaboration with the Beautification Division of the National Housing Development and Urban Renewal Company and the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA), ensuring a coordinated, multi-agency approach to restoring and maintaining the country’s environmental standards.

Cabinet reaffirmed that maintaining a clean and orderly environment remains a central pillar of its governance agenda. Beyond aesthetics, the initiative forms part of a broader national strategy focused on public health, environmental protection, tourism preservation, and national security.

Overgrown areas, derelict spaces, and unclean surroundings can pose safety risks, create breeding grounds for pests, obstruct visibility along roadways, and provide concealment for unlawful activity. Cabinet therefore emphasized that beautification and sanitation efforts are not merely cosmetic exercises but are also preventative measures that contribute directly to community safety and national security.

The Cabinet is also calling on residents, businesses, and community groups to partner in this national effort by properly disposing of waste, maintaining private properties, and reporting illegal dumping. Enforcement measures will also be strengthened to deter littering and non-compliance.

Cabinet remains resolute in its commitment to preserving Antigua and Barbuda as a clean, safe, and welcoming nation for its citizens and visitors alike. The drive will continue in phases, with regular monitoring and follow-up interventions to ensure sustained impact.