Improvement to roads and healthcare, plus conference transportation, must benefit all locals, Tabor says

Plans for the Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) conference in
May appear to be sluggish, says Damani Tabor, and he criticizes the
Browne Administration for addressing the country’s infrastructural
problems only because of this event.
 
Attention seems to be focused on the northern side of the island – on
the roads that lead to the American University of Antigua (AUA), the
venue for the event.
 
Further, the Cabinet has taken the decision that the Glanvilles and
Villa Polyclinics are to be staffed and remain open 24 hours a day
during the conference, while the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre is
always to be on stand-by during the conference.
 
Accordingly, Tabor chides the Government for paying attention only
now to the healthcare infrastructure – and only because “important
people” are coming to the country.

He notes that nationals and residents have been forced to suffer on
account of poor-quality primary healthcare, with non-functioning
diagnostic equipment and moldy operating theaters.
However, everything is being done to ensure the visiting
delegations do not encounter the same issues.

Further, Tabor says that repairing the roads leading to the
conference venue is not good enough, pointing out that other
communities are in dire need of infrastructural work.
 
The UPP officer says the entire country must benefit from this
important event and should be able to reap extensive gains through
its “tourism” aspect.
 
He refers to the Administration’s consideration of AirBnbs, homes,
and apartments as alternatives to its now-aborted plans to utilize a
cruise ship as additional room stock.

Tabor hopes that, at the end of the conference, any infrastructural
gains that have been derived will be maintained for the benefit of
the “grassroots.”

Finally, referencing the arrangements to transport delegates to and
from the event, Tabor says the opportunity should be shared equally
among taxi operators – and not only party supporters – and must
not be turned into a self-enrichment scheme for already-big players.
 

That was Damani Tabor, UPP public relations officer.