Works Minister Maria Browne received strong praise during Tuesday’s Throne Speech as the government highlighted what it described as significant progress in road rehabilitation projects across Antigua.
Governor-General Sir Rodney Williams pointed to several recently upgraded highways and ongoing infrastructure projects while commending Browne’s leadership of the Ministry of Works.
“The quality of the roads and highways in Antigua has been improving, my Government asserts,” Sir Rodney said during the ceremonial opening of Parliament.
The Governor-General listed a series of major roadways that have either been repaired or are currently undergoing rehabilitation, including the Sir George Walter Highway, Friars Hill Road, Sir Sidney Walling Highway, Valley Road from Golden Grove to Old Road and the Parham to Willikies Highway.
He also noted that work continues on All Saints Road and said secondary roads within villages and communities are being paved simultaneously.
According to the speech, a consortium of banks has agreed to advance EC$150 million to support roadworks through a vehicle user-fee arrangement.
The Throne Speech acknowledged that the government has faced challenges linked to shortages of cement but indicated that issue could soon ease as dredging work near the silos at Crabbes nears completion.
“A shortage of cement has been a challenge; however, as the dredging of the channel leading to the silos at Crabbes nears completion, that scarcity of cement will be of the past,” Sir Rodney said.
The Governor-General reserved special praise for Browne, describing her as a strong and effective leader within the administration.
“My Government expresses its sincerest thanks to the Minister of Works, the Honourable Maria Browne, for her management of a workforce that has performed admirably in the years since she assumed the role,” he said.
Sir Rodney also described Browne as “the first female to serve as Minister of Works” and credited her with bringing “energy, competence, a determination to succeed, and positive thinking to every task.”
The speech additionally praised Minister of State Shenella Govia, who has been reassigned to the Works Ministry, saying the government expects her to help strengthen the ministry’s efforts to achieve its infrastructure goals.
The road rehabilitation programme forms part of the government’s broader development agenda outlined during the opening of the new parliamentary term following the April 30 general election.