The Cabinet Secretary delivered the meditation at this week’s meeting of the Cabinet, basing his
reflection on Psalm 9:1–2, which speaks of giving wholehearted praise and thanksgiving to God and
rejoicing in His goodness.

The Cabinet Secretary reflected on the words of the Psalmist:
“I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. I will be
glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.”
He reminded members of the Cabinet that thanksgiving should remain an important part of their
daily lives and service. The passage, he noted, calls upon believers to acknowledge God not only in
moments of ease and success, but in every circumstance, recognising His presence and His works in
their lives.

The Cabinet Secretary emphasised the significance of the Psalmist declaring that he would praise
God “with my whole heart.” He reflected that service to God and to country similarly requires
sincerity, commitment and a willingness to give fully of oneself. Those entrusted with leadership, he
noted, carry significant responsibilities and must approach their duties with humility, integrity and a
genuine desire to serve others.

He encouraged Cabinet members, amid the demands and challenges of national leadership, to
remember the many blessings that God has bestowed upon Antigua and Barbuda. Even when
difficult decisions must be made, there remains reason to be thankful and to trust that divine
wisdom is available to those who earnestly seek it.

He reminded the Cabinet that national leadership cannot depend solely upon human knowledge and
experience. Wisdom, discernment, patience and compassion are essential qualities in making
decisions that affect the lives and welfare of the people. He therefore encouraged members to
continually seek God’s direction as they undertake the responsibilities entrusted to them.

In concluding the meditation, the Cabinet Secretary offered prayers for the Prime Minister and
members of the Cabinet, asking God to guide their deliberations and decisions and to grant them
wisdom, understanding and strength in carrying out the work of the Government.

He prayed that God would continue to direct the members of the Cabinet as they serve the people
of Antigua and Barbuda and that their work would contribute to the peace, progress and continued
development of the nation.

The Cabinet Secretary concluded by committing the Cabinet and its work into God’s hands, praying
that its members would remain thankful for His blessings, attentive to His guidance and faithful in
their service to the people of Antigua and Barbuda.

1. Cabinet Reviews Police Progress in Tackling Firearm-Related Crime and Pledges Full Support to
Law Enforcement

The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda, meeting under the chairmanship of Acting Prime Minister and
Attorney General, the Honourable Sir Steadroy Benjamin, on Wednesday extensively discussed the
recent incidents of firearm-related crime and the ongoing efforts of the Royal Police Force of
Antigua and Barbuda to apprehend those responsible and remove illegal weapons from the nation’s
communities.

Sir Steadroy provided Cabinet with an update on ongoing police investigations and the progress
being made in relation to the recent spate of serious crimes.

The Acting Prime Minister informed Cabinet that the Police are encouraged by the progress of
several investigations and are confident that significant arrests will be made in the coming weeks. He
reported that investigators continue to pursue several leads and that the number of arrests already
made, together with firearms removed from the streets, demonstrates that law-enforcement efforts
are making serious inroads into criminal activity.

Cabinet commended the Commissioner of Police and the men and women of the Royal Police Force
for their continued work and pledged the Government’s full support in providing the resources and
legislative framework required to confront firearm-related violence.

Cabinet noted that the Government’s response extends beyond ongoing police investigations and
forms part of a broader national security strategy involving stronger legislation, increased penalties,
improved surveillance, additional law-enforcement resources and greater use of technology in crime
prevention and detection.

Earlier this year, the Government committed more than EC$4 million to train additional police
recruits and equip officers, including investments in specialised crime-prevention and detection
technologies and targeted surveillance.

Government is also continuing the expansion of the national CCTV network. More than 200
cameras have been earmarked for deployment at strategic locations to improve surveillance coverage
and assist the Police with crime prevention, investigations and emergency response.
The Government has also been advancing legislation aimed at strengthening the criminal justice
system and the institutional capacity of law-enforcement agencies, including reforms relating to
policing, forensic services and firearms offences.

Cabinet recalled that Prime Minister the Honourable Gaston Browne has repeatedly stated that
illegal firearms, gang activity and violent crime will be confronted firmly. Following an earlier firearm
incident this year, the Prime Minister stressed that those responsible for gun violence must be
identified, apprehended and brought before the courts.

Cabinet also recalled the Government’s concern that the penalties imposed for serious firearm
offences must provide an effective deterrent.

At a national security meeting in August, Prime Minister Browne raised concerns about repeat
offenders and called for closer attention to sentences imposed for serious gun-related offences,
while recognising and respecting the constitutional independence of the Judiciary.

The Government continues to pursue legislative measures intended to ensure that law-enforcement
agencies and the courts have appropriate tools to respond effectively to persons who possess, traffic
or use illegal firearms. New legislation will go to parliament on 18 th September.

Cabinet emphasised that the Police cannot defeat crime without the cooperation of the public.
Citizens and residents who possess information concerning illegal firearms, shootings, robberies,
violent crime or persons involved in criminal activity are strongly encouraged to provide that
information to the Police.

Cabinet appealed particularly to persons who may have knowledge of recent crimes not to remain
silent. Even information which may appear insignificant could provide investigators with an
important link in identifying offenders, locating illegal firearms or solving a serious crime.

The Cabinet stressed that protecting Antigua and Barbuda is a shared national responsibility and
called upon families, communities and citizens to support the Police as they intensify their
investigations.

Cabinet expressed confidence in the capacity of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda and
welcomed the progress reported by the Acting Prime Minister.

Sir Steadroy reaffirmed that the Government will continue to give law enforcement the support
necessary to confront those responsible for firearm-related violence, while strengthening prevention,
detection, investigation and prosecution.

Cabinet also assured the population that the recent incidents of firearm-related violence are being
treated with the utmost seriousness and that the Police are actively pursuing those believed to be
responsible.

The Government remains resolute that persons who introduce illegal firearms into communities, use
guns in the commission of crimes or assist those engaged in violent criminal activity will face the full
force of the law.

Cabinet concluded its discussion by renewing its appeal for national unity and public cooperation in
the fight against crime, and reaffirmed that the safety and security of the people of Antigua and
Barbuda remain among the Government’s highest priorities.

2. Cabinet Announces Comprehensive Measures to Address Youth Violence, Child Protection and
Crime

The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has announced a series of measures aimed at addressing youth
involvement in crime, strengthening the protection of vulnerable children and women, improving
policing and surveillance, and placing greater emphasis on rehabilitation within the penal system.
The measures emerged from extensive discussions during Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting, chaired by
Acting Prime Minister and Attorney General, Sir Steadroy Benjamin, as the Government continues
to respond to recent incidents of violent and firearm-related crime.

Cabinet expressed particular concern about the involvement of some young people in criminal
activity and agreed that the response must extend beyond policing and punishment to
include parental responsibility, stronger families, child protection, early intervention and
rehabilitation.

The Attorney General advised Cabinet that his department will review recent legislation dealing with
the accountability of parents for the conduct of their children, with particular attention being given
to the mechanisms available for enforcement by the Police.

Cabinet noted that parents and guardians have an important responsibility to know the activities of
children under their care, provide appropriate supervision and guidance, and intervene when there
are indications that a young person may be engaging in dangerous or unlawful behaviour.
The review will determine whether the existing legal provisions and enforcement mechanisms are
adequate and how they can be more effectively applied as part of the national response to youth
violence and delinquency.

The measure builds upon earlier Cabinet discussions on youth violence, during which emphasis was
placed on conflict resolution, positive youth engagement, family intervention and providing young
people with alternatives to violence and criminal activity.

Cabinet was also informed that the Attorney General’s Chambers will undertake a review of the laws
governing foster parenting, child protection and related adoption procedures.

The review will seek to place the best interests and protection of the child more centrally within the
legal framework, while identifying and removing unnecessary legal and administrative barriers that
can delay the transition of eligible children from foster care into permanent and stable adoptive
homes.

Cabinet stressed that children who cannot safely remain within their existing family environment
should have access to a system that provides security, stability and appropriate care.

The Minister responsible for Social Transformation informed Cabinet that cases involving the abuse
of children continue to be a serious concern for the Ministry.

Cabinet was advised that a property has now been identified in St. John’s for use as a safe house for
abused children and women. The Ministry will finalise the necessary arrangements to make the
facility operational.

The safe house is intended to provide a secure environment for persons requiring immediate
protection and support while the appropriate social, legal and other interventions are undertaken.
Cabinet welcomed the development as an important strengthening of the State’s child-protection
and social-support framework.

The Attorney General also announced that measures will be taken to ensure that the names of
convicted sexual offenders are made public following conviction, subject to the applicable legal
framework and procedures.

Cabinet considers the protection of children and other vulnerable persons to be of paramount
importance and supports appropriate measures that strengthen public safety while complying with
the law and safeguarding victims.

As part of the Government’s wider crime-fighting strategy, Cabinet was informed that the remainder
of the 200 CCTV cameras previously earmarked for deployment are being installed this week in
targeted areas.

The cameras form part of the continued expansion of the national surveillance network and are
intended to strengthen the ability of the Police to prevent and detect crime, support investigations
and identify persons involved in criminal activity.

The Government previously approved the expansion and integration of CCTV surveillance with the
Police security apparatus as part of its investment in technology-driven crime prevention.
The Attorney General further informed Cabinet that, with immediate effect, the Commissioner of
Police has been advised to ensure that police stations across Antigua and Barbuda operate on a 24-
hour basis.

The measure is intended to improve accessibility to the Police, strengthen communication between
law enforcement and communities and ensure that members of the public can make reports or seek
police assistance at any hour.

Cabinet considers stronger community-police communication essential to the fight against crime and
again appealed to citizens and residents to provide information concerning illegal firearms, violent
crimes and other criminal activity.

The decision complements the Government’s continuing investment in the Royal Police Force of
Antigua and Barbuda, including the recruitment of additional officers, expansion of surveillance
capabilities and strengthening of the legislative framework available to law enforcement.

Cabinet also discussed the importance of addressing repeat offending and rehabilitation within the
prison system.
The Attorney General advised that Government will seek the services of a consultant to examine
the existing prison structure and operations and make recommendations on reforms that can
strengthen rehabilitation and reduce recidivism.

The review comes as the Government advances plans for the construction of a new prison facility in
the Potworks Dam area at the Prison Farm. The previously approved plan envisages a modern
facility developed in phases, beginning with accommodation for approximately 150 inmates and
ultimately allowing for the transition away from the existing centuries-old prison facility in St. John’s.
Cabinet stressed that a modern correctional system must do more than securely house offenders. It
must provide opportunities for rehabilitation, skills development and successful reintegration into
society, particularly for younger offenders who can be redirected towards productive lives.

Cabinet emphasised that the measures announced form part of a broader, coordinated response to
crime and social disorder.
That response includes stronger policing and surveillance, tougher action against illegal firearms,
legislative reform, parental accountability, protection for abused children and women, improvements
to foster care and adoption, rehabilitation of offenders and greater public participation in crime
prevention.

Cabinet reiterated that enforcement alone cannot resolve the social circumstances contributing to
youth violence. Families, schools, churches, community organisations, social-service agencies and
law-enforcement authorities all have important roles in guiding young people and intervening before
antisocial behaviour develops into serious criminal activity.

The Cabinet pledged its continued support to the Police and other agencies involved in protecting
the nation and renewed its appeal for citizens to cooperate with law enforcement by providing
information that can assist in solving crimes and removing illegal firearms from communities.

The Government reaffirmed that the safety of children, families and communities remains a national
priority, and that it will continue to pursue both firm law enforcement and meaningful social
intervention to make Antigua and Barbuda safer for all.

3. Cabinet Approves New Policy Governing Admission of Foreign Students to Public Schools

The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has approved a new policy governing the admission of foreign
students into the nation’s public schools, following a proposal presented by the Minister for
Education and Science and Technology the Honourable Daryll Matthew.

The policy is intended to establish a clear, transparent and sustainable framework for managing
admission to publicly funded schools, while addressing increasing pressures on classroom space,
staffing, educational resources, student support services and school infrastructure.

Cabinet reaffirmed that the Government remains committed to providing accessible, equitable and
high-quality education, while recognising its responsibility to ensure that the public education system
is adequately resourced and remains sustainable.

Under the policy approved by Cabinet, foreign students, with the exception of eligible students from
OECS Member States, will be required to attend a registered private school in Antigua and Barbuda
for three continuous academic years before becoming eligible to apply for admission to a public
school.

Completion of the three-year qualifying period will not automatically guarantee admission.
Placement will remain subject to the availability of space, the student’s age and educational level,
lawful immigration status, satisfactory documentation and compliance with the established
procedures of the Ministry of Education.

Attendance during the qualifying period must be verified by official records from a private school
registered with the Ministry.
Cabinet approved an exemption for eligible students from OECS Member States, recognising the
close legal, social and educational relationships among countries of the Organisation of Eastern
Caribbean States.

The policy will therefore distinguish between eligible OECS students and other foreign students
when determining the requirements for access to Antigua and Barbuda’s public education system.
Importantly, Cabinet determined that the new policy will operate prospectively.

Foreign students who are already enrolled in public schools when the policy takes effect will be
permitted to continue their education in the public school system, subject to maintaining lawful
immigration status and satisfying the normal requirements governing school attendance.
The effective date of the new policy will be announced by the Ministry of Education, which will also
issue the necessary administrative guidelines for its implementation.

Cabinet further approved the establishment of a limited review mechanism to consider compelling
cases involving humanitarian, child-protection or public-interest circumstances.
This provision is intended to ensure that the policy can be administered fairly while allowing
appropriate consideration to be given to exceptional cases affecting the welfare of children.

The Ministry of Education advised Cabinet that increasing applications from foreign students have
contributed to pressure on public schools, including overcrowded classrooms, increased staffing and
resource requirements, constraints on student support services and additional demands on school
infrastructure.

Cabinet noted that while the Education Levy contributes to financing education and other approved
educational purposes, it does not meet the full cost of operating and expanding the public school
system, nor does payment of the levy in itself create an automatic entitlement to a place in a public
school.

The new policy is therefore intended to allow Government to better manage enrolment, control
unplanned expenditure and plan more effectively for teachers, classrooms, educational materials and
other resources.

Foreign students affected by the qualifying requirement will continue to have access to education
through registered private schools during the three-year period.
Cabinet also approved the recommendation that the policy be reviewed by the Attorney General’s
Chambers before implementation to ensure consistency with the Constitution, the Education Act,
immigration legislation, applicable OECS arrangements and Antigua and Barbuda’s regional and
international obligations.

The policy will additionally be reviewed after three years, or earlier if necessary, to assess its impact
on enrolment, expenditure, school capacity and access to education.
Cabinet emphasised that the measure is not intended to deny children access to education, but rather
to establish an orderly and sustainable system governing access to publicly funded school places
while protecting the quality of education provided throughout Antigua and Barbuda.

The Government reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the country’s education system
remains accessible, properly managed, adequately resourced and capable of delivering high-quality
education to students across the State.

4. Cabinet Approves Establishment of Electric Vehicle Maintenance and Training Laboratory at
ABCAS

The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has approved the establishment of an Electric Vehicle
Maintenance and Training Laboratory at the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies
(ABCAS), as Government continues to build the technical skills and infrastructure required to
support the country’s transition towards cleaner and lower-emission transportation.
The proposal was presented by the Minister for Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service
Affairs, the Honourable Michael Joseph, through the Department of Environment under
the Sustainable Low-Emission Island Mobility (SLIM) Project.

Cabinet noted that while the number of electric vehicles operating in Antigua and Barbuda
continues to increase, local capacity to diagnose, service and safely repair high-voltage electric
vehicle systems remains limited. The establishment of the laboratory is intended to address that
skills gap and reduce dependence on overseas technical assistance.

The new laboratory will provide a permanent facility for practical instruction in electric and
hybrid vehicle systems, high-voltage safety, battery technology, electrical diagnostics and related
maintenance procedures.

ABCAS was selected as the host institution to ensure that the equipment and curriculum are
incorporated into the country’s continuing technical education programmes and can be used to
train successive cohorts of students, instructors, automotive technicians and other relevant
personnel.

Cabinet considers the initiative particularly important as Antigua and Barbuda expands the use of
electric vehicles. Developing local technical expertise will help reduce vehicle downtime and
maintenance costs while creating new employment and skills-development opportunities in an
emerging area of the automotive industry.

Cabinet approved the acquisition of a comprehensive package of equipment and instructional
resources for the laboratory.

The facility will include an advanced electric vehicle training system, battery laboratory kits,
relay laboratory kits, high-voltage safety equipment and specialised tools for practical
instruction.

Electric vehicle and electricity curriculum packages, textbooks, online instructor resources,
certification study materials and access to an instructional portal will also form part of the
programme.

The equipment will be handed over to ABCAS for custody and educational use under
a Memorandum of Understanding setting out arrangements for its maintenance, inventory
control, access, reporting and continued use for approved training purposes.

Cabinet also approved two complementary training programmes designed to ensure that the
laboratory can become operational with appropriately trained local instructors.
The first will be a ten-day Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Service and Repair Train-the-Trainer
programme for 15 participants. Training will cover high-voltage safety, battery procedures,
electrical diagnostics, heating and cooling systems, braking and suspension systems, fault
diagnosis and hybrid vehicle technology.

Successful participants will receive a certificate of competence and may become eligible to
pursue further formal certification.
A second five-day advanced workshop at ABCAS will provide practical training for up to ten
participants using the laboratory’s electric vehicle training system and associated equipment.
The total estimated investment in the laboratory, curriculum packages and the two training
programmes is approximately US$128,189, or EC$346,110.

The expenditure will be met from approved SLIM Project resources, with procurement and
implementation being undertaken in accordance with the applicable financial and procurement
requirements.

Cabinet authorised the Ministry of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs,
through the Department of Environment, to finalise the procurement, training and handover
arrangements necessary to operationalise the laboratory.

Cabinet welcomed the initiative as an important intersection between the
Government’s education, technical and vocational training, environmental and sustainable-
development objectives.

The establishment of the laboratory will allow Antigua and Barbuda to develop home-grown
expertise in an area that is expected to become increasingly important as electric and hybrid
vehicles become more prevalent.

Cabinet also noted that locating the facility at ABCAS will ensure that the investment has a
lasting educational benefit by providing young Antiguans and Barbudans, existing automotive
technicians and instructors with opportunities to acquire skills relevant to the changing
automotive industry.

The Government reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening technical and vocational education
at ABCAS, while ensuring that the country’s workforce is equipped to participate in the new
employment and entrepreneurial opportunities being created by technological change and the
transition to a lower-emission economy.

5. Performing Arts Centre on Track for September 30 Handover; Major Road Works Accelerated
Ahead of CHOGM 2026

The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has received an encouraging update on the construction of the
new Performing Arts Centre, with the Minister who chair’s National Housing, the Honourable
Rawdon Turner, reporting that the facility remains on schedule to be delivered to the Government
by September 30, 2026.

The scheduled handover will take place approximately one month ahead of Antigua and Barbuda’s
hosting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in November and will
provide sufficient time for final preparations ahead of the major international gathering.
Minister Turner informed Cabinet that construction of the Performing Arts Centre has entered its
final stages. Seating is currently being installed throughout the facility, while finishing works are
being completed on the exterior.

The Centre’s audiovisual systems and other technical equipment are expected to be installed in the
coming weeks, after which the systems will undergo the necessary testing to ensure that the facility is
fully operational.

Cabinet expressed satisfaction with the progress being made and reiterated the importance of
completing the facility to the required standard and within the established timeframe.
Cabinet also received a presentation from a team from the Ministry of Works, which outlined an
accelerated programme of road rehabilitation in and around St. John’s.

The Ministry advised that roads surrounding the Performing Arts Centre will receive immediate
attention as part of preparations for the opening of the facility and the hosting of CHOGM.
Major streets within the capital have also been identified for urgent works, including Market Street,
High Street, Newgate Street and St. Mary’s Street.

The Ministry of Works has set a target of the end of September for completion of the identified
road works within St. John’s, improving the condition of several of the capital’s major thoroughfares.
Cabinet was also informed that the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA), which has been
undertaking pipe upgrades in the area, expects to complete those works within approximately one
week. The completion of the utility upgrades will allow the road programme to proceed without the
need to disturb newly rehabilitated surfaces to undertake planned pipe works.

The Ministry of Works further informed Cabinet that road works will shortly commence on
the Burning Flames Highway, Hodges Bay Main Road and identified roads within the English
Harbour area.

Cabinet noted that these projects form part of the Government’s continuing programme to improve
the country’s road infrastructure and will complement other road rehabilitation projects being
undertaken across Antigua and Barbuda.

The Government recognises that the hosting of CHOGM has created an opportunity to accelerate
several infrastructure improvements; however, Cabinet emphasised that these investments are
intended to provide lasting benefits to residents, businesses and road users well beyond the
November meeting.

Cabinet commended the management and staff of the Ministry of Works and the teams engaged in
the national road programme for their dedication, extended hours of work and commitment to
completing priority projects within demanding timelines.

Cabinet acknowledged that coordinating road construction with utility upgrades and other
infrastructure works requires significant planning and cooperation among Government agencies and
encouraged the Ministry of Works, APUA and other stakeholders to maintain close coordination as
the September deadlines approach.

The Cabinet also welcomed the continued progress on the Performing Arts Centre, which will
become an important addition to Antigua and Barbuda’s national infrastructure and provide a
modern venue for cultural performances, conferences, national events and major international
gatherings.

With the Performing Arts Centre scheduled for handover by September 30, the completion of key
utility works and the acceleration of road rehabilitation throughout St. John’s and other areas,
Cabinet reaffirmed the Government’s determination to ensure that Antigua and Barbuda is fully
prepared to welcome Commonwealth leaders and delegations for CHOGM 2026 in November,
while delivering infrastructure improvements that will continue to serve the people of Antigua and
Barbuda long after the meeting concludes.

6. Cabinet Welcomes 4,000 Bags of Fertilizer from Morocco to Boost Local Food Production

The Minister for Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue Economy, the Honourable Anthony
Smith Jr., has informed Cabinet that the Ministry is now in possession of 4,000 bags of fertilizer
from the Kingdom of Morocco, secured following negotiations between agriculture officials in
Antigua and Barbuda and representatives of the Government of Morocco.

Minister Smith advised that distribution to farmers has commenced and will continue throughout
this week, providing farmers with an important agricultural input as the Government intensifies its
programme to increase domestic food production and strengthen national food security.
The 4,000-bag shipment represents the largest consignment received since Antigua and Barbuda’s
fertilizer cooperation with Morocco began in 2018.

Cabinet welcomed the shipment and expressed its appreciation to the Government and people of
the Kingdom of Morocco for their continued support of Antigua and Barbuda’s agricultural
development.

The latest shipment builds upon several years of agricultural cooperation between Antigua and
Barbuda and Morocco.
In 2025, the Ministry distributed approximately 1,800 bags of fertilizer provided by Morocco, while
an earlier shipment in 2023 comprised approximately 1,700 bags for distribution to crop farmers and
other producers. The cooperation has focused on providing farmers with essential inputs to improve
productivity and strengthen the country’s agricultural sector.

The Ministry has previously explained that the fertilizer partnership forms part of wider technical
cooperation aimed at improving agricultural productivity, soil fertility and farming efficiency.
Minister Smith noted that access to quality fertilizer is important to increasing crop yields, since it
assists in replenishing essential soil nutrients and enables farmers to obtain greater productivity from
land already under cultivation.

Cabinet noted that the fertilizer distribution complements several other initiatives being undertaken
to expand agricultural production.
Earlier this year, the Ministry reported that approximately 150 acres of underutilised agricultural land
had been repossessed, with Cabinet approving the allocation of 75 acres specifically to youth and
women farmers. The initiative forms part of Government’s policy of placing productive agricultural
lands in the hands of farmers capable of increasing domestic output.

Government is also making significant investments in agricultural water infrastructure. In June,
Minister Smith informed Cabinet that Antigua and Barbuda had secured approximately US$9 million
under a Caribbean Development Bank and Food and Agriculture Organization Soil and Water

Management Programme to support the construction of dams, water catchment ponds and other
soil and water conservation infrastructure.
Cabinet said that the combination of greater access to agricultural land, improved water availability
and irrigation, fertilizer and other inputs, and continued technical support for farmers is central to
Government’s objective of increasing the quantity of food produced locally and reducing
dependence on imported food.

Minister Smith encouraged farmers receiving the fertilizer to make productive use of the assistance
to increase their output and strengthen the availability of locally grown produce.
The Minister has described food security as a national objective requiring cooperation between
Government and the farming community, reiterating the Ministry’s commitment to providing
farmers with the resources necessary to increase production.

Cabinet commended Minister Smith and officials of the Ministry of Agriculture for successfully
advancing the negotiations with their Moroccan counterparts and securing the increased shipment.
The Cabinet also renewed the Government’s gratitude to the Kingdom of Morocco for its
longstanding friendship and agricultural cooperation with Antigua and Barbuda, noting that the
4,000 bags represent a tangible contribution to the country’s drive towards greater food security and
agricultural resilience.

Farmers are encouraged to remain in contact with the Ministry of Agriculture and its Extension
Division regarding the ongoing distribution arrangements.