OPINION: The state of our State must not become the new normal

by MP Anthony Smith, Jr.

The state of filth in our beloved Nation is not only reprehensible, but a danger
to drivers and a health hazard to citizens, residents and visitors.

It is impossible to miss the blocked and unsightly drains; the unsanitary heaps
of uncollected garbage; the unswept gutters; and the overgrown vegetation
and bushes. This is the perfect stage for a breakout of diseases, and it is unfair
to the people of Antigua and Barbuda.

It pains my heart to see what we have grown to accept as a people because of
partisan politics. It is my opinion that our love for country should supersede
our emotional or family-oriented vote support for any political party.

This unhealthy situation plaguing our Nation affects us all, regardless of age,
economic status, health or political affiliation, and it affects our development
and our economy.

Those who control the national purse and those responsible for the health,
wealth, safety, aesthetics, and fundamental cleaning of the country should be
ashamed of themselves. We have retrogressed to a profound low under
Gaston Browne and the Antigua Labour Party.

As Antiguans and Barbudans, we should not be comfortable with the state of
our country; this should never be our new normal. This is not the Antigua and
Barbuda we want to see, and we all must hold our government accountable.

We must build a better Nation for our children and the children to come: This
is an obligation. All Antiguans and Barbudans are required to be civic minded,
and so we must call on the ministries and their officials to get up and work for
our tax dollars.

The government is the collector and spender of our taxes, levies and tariffs. It
should be called on to adequately appropriate and manage these revenues to
develop and sustain the operations of the country for every citizen.

While we boast of being a tourist destination, our City has become a
shantytown, and I am ashamed when friends and family visit from other
countries and nearby islands. The high prices, coupled with the smell and the
look, are embarrassing to explain.

The treatment of our constituencies and constituents is a disgrace.

We are doing everything we can to ensure that All Saints West (ASW)
becomes a model constituency in Antigua and Barbuda.

To do so we will continue to solicit from the business community; beseech the
NGOs, friends and family; and use our own resources to represent ASW and
our Nation.

I must admit, though, that with a stipend of only $2,000 per month, it is
difficult to fix roads, collect garbage, and clear overgrown bushes while those
with access to the government purse do nothing.

Therefore, I am using this medium to highlight the untenable position in
which our country finds itself and to call on the ministries and ministers
concerned to get to work and let us move this country forward.

We call on our leaders to wake up. We call on our leaders to allocate sufficient
resources to make Antigua and Barbuda better and turn the Nation into that
unique gem, the envy of the region. Let us work towards rebuilding our
country before it is too late.

Frankly speaking, it is time for this Administration to go. Its mindset of self-
enrichment will never translate to a people-centered government with
progressive policies to benefit its citizens.