Security and medical services to be beefed up for visitors, while locals complain they live in fear and pain
Security and medical services are to be beefed up for the duration of
the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) conference scheduled to
take place from May 27-30.
Initially, the Government had claimed that over 5,000 delegates,
including heads of government and state, would converge on
Antigua for the event.
However, since that announcement, a Tourism official has quoted a
lower number of attendees, saying that several competing events –
such as Cricket World Cup – are likely to reduce the count.
Whatever the true figure is, with the number of persons expected
here, security will be of paramount importance.
Accordingly, the Cabinet says it will address the Police Force’s
shortfall in manpower by retaining the services of retired officers
and private security firms. It hopes that this will supplement
personnel from the Police Force and the Defence Force.
This decision is rubbing some people the wrong way – especially
those who feel vulnerable in the face of spiraling crime, particularly
offences involving the use of firearms.
It was only last week that police officers complained about their
long shifts – of 12 and 16 hours at certain stations – and their lack
of vehicles and other tools to fight crime and protect the citizenry.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet has also decided that the Glanvilles and Villa
Polyclinics are to be staffed and remain open 24 hours during the
SIDS4 conference, while the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre is to
remain on stand-by.
And yet, with several community clinics closed, locals have been
forced – since last year – to travel far distances for primary
healthcare.
Personnel could not be found to meet the needs of residents who are
suffering, one onlooker complains bitterly, but everything is being
done to accommodate foreign dignitaries “as a show.”
This is how the Browne Administration continues to display its
scant regard for citizens and residents and their daily lives, she says.
