United Progressive Party candidate Ashworth Azille has accused cabinet ministers and members of parliament of competing directly with ordinary citizens for government contracts, arguing that the practice undermines fairness and economic opportunity.
Speaking at a virtual UPP public rally, Azille said elected officials have placed themselves in direct competition with the very people they are supposed to govern, across multiple sectors of the economy.
“What we have seen over the last several years is that members of parliament — members who sit in cabinet — are openly competing with the ordinary men and women in Antigua and Barbuda,” Azille told supporters.
He listed construction, garbage collection, sewage services, water delivery and agriculture among the areas where he said politicians have entered the marketplace.
“They’re competing in garbage collection. They’re competing in sewage collection. They’re competing in water collection and delivery. They’re competing in construction,” Azille said. “Oh my goodness, they’re competing in agriculture.”
Azille argued that this places elected officials in a position of unfair advantage, particularly where those same officials have influence over procurement decisions, access to state resources or oversight of public spending.
According to Azille, the issue reflects a deeper problem within the procurement system, where political authority and commercial interest are allowed to overlap.
“The same politicians decide on what is needed and also influence who gets the contracts to fix what is needed,” he said. “That is a recipe that is ripe for abuse.”
He said the result is an uneven playing field that disadvantages small contractors, entrepreneurs and ordinary citizens who rely on government work to earn a living.
“When we put people in office to empower everyone and they instead empower themselves and their families, something has gone painfully wrong,” Azille said.
Azille warned that the practice erodes trust in government and weakens confidence in public institutions.
“You cannot expect fairness when the referee is also on the field,” he said, arguing that economic opportunity should not depend on political connections.
He said the consequences are visible in deteriorating infrastructure, strained public services and growing public frustration.
Azille said a future UPP administration would seek to separate political authority from commercial activity involving government contracts, arguing that transparency and clear rules are essential to restoring confidence.
“Government and, by extension, our tax dollars must work for the people and not against them,” he said.