The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has directed that permanent secretaries and heads of departments must attend Parliament when legislation related to their ministries is being debated.

Speaking during Thursday’s post-Cabinet briefing, Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant stated: “Permanent secretaries and heads of departments should be present at parliamentary debates whenever bills are being debated that affect their ministries.”

He continued, “So a matter of health reform, then heads of departments and permanent secretaries from that ministry must be in Parliament throughout the duration of discussions on that issue to familiarize themselves with the changes, amendments or bills that are being enacted.”

Merchant explained that the new measure is part of efforts to ensure that public servants are better equipped to perform their duties: “Just to also bring you up to speed as it relates to the permanent secretaries, the Cabinet indicated that permanent secretaries are required to be fully versed on laws and regulations that govern their performance.”

The directive forms part of a broader public sector reform agenda focused on improving accountability, training, and professionalism across the civil service.