The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has endorsed an intensified national beautification and sanitation drive following a presentation by managers of the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) on the Authority’s ongoing efforts across Antigua and Barbuda.
Managers of the NSWMA were invited to Cabinet this week to provide a comprehensive update on the condition of public spaces, roadways, drains, watercourses, and residential communities. During the presentation, Cabinet conducted a detailed review and identified several priority problem areas requiring immediate attention, including illegal dumping, litter accumulation, overgrown trees and shrubbery, and blocked drains.
Following the assessment, Cabinet approved the intensification of clean-up and beautification activities, with multiple teams mobilised and reassigned to targeted communities. The planned interventions include the removal of litter and bulky waste, clearing of overgrown vegetation, cleaning of drains and watercourses, and the general enhancement of public spaces and road verges.
The initiative will be carried out in collaboration with the National Housing Development and Urban Renewal Company, through its Beautification Division, and the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA), ensuring a coordinated, multi-agency approach to restoring and maintaining national environmental standards.
Cabinet reaffirmed that environmental cleanliness and order remain central pillars of its governance agenda. Beyond aesthetic improvements, the initiative forms part of a broader national strategy focused on public health, environmental protection, tourism preservation, and national security.
Cabinet noted that overgrown areas, derelict spaces, and unclean surroundings can present safety risks, obstruct visibility along roadways, create breeding grounds for pests, and provide concealment for unlawful activity. As such, beautification and sanitation efforts were described as preventative measures that contribute directly to community safety and national security, rather than merely cosmetic exercises.
Cabinet also called on residents, businesses, and community groups to support the national effort by properly disposing of waste, maintaining private properties, and reporting instances of illegal dumping. In addition, enforcement measures will be strengthened to deter littering and non-compliance.
The Government has reiterated its commitment to preserving Antigua and Barbuda as a clean, safe, and welcoming country for both citizens and visitors. The national drive will continue in phases, supported by regular monitoring and follow-up interventions to ensure sustained impact.
