Prime Minister Gaston Browne is calling on citizens to take greater responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean, describing the national clean-up and beautification campaign as a shared duty to restore pride and order across the country.
Speaking on the _Browne and Browne Show_ on Pointe FM, Browne said the government’s island-wide initiative, led by the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF) in collaboration with the Solid Waste Authority, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Works, is long overdue. He said it aims to tackle “the awful” levels of litter, derelict vehicles, and abandoned properties that have become health and safety hazards.
“The indiscriminate dumping of litter is a problem,” Browne said. “I’m begging our people — this is the 21st century. You’re telling me that people are still taking their bulk waste and dumping them in green spaces when nobody’s looking? That’s inappropriate. There’s a landfill. Take it to the landfill.”
The Prime Minister said the campaign was designed not only to clean but also to beautify Antigua and Barbuda, noting that the ABDF and prisoners would assist in planting flowering and fruit trees along major roads.
“We’re not only cleaning; we’re also going to beautify,” he said. “When you drive along the road, we want you to feel proud being in Antigua. Our vision is for citizens to enjoy living standards that are second to none.”
Browne announced that the government intends to introduce legislation allowing for the **demolition of derelict buildings** and for cleanup costs to be attached to the land. He stressed that the measure is not meant to dispossess owners but to eliminate eyesores and health risks that “give a poor impression of the country.”
He also encouraged residents to play their part by maintaining their homes and surroundings, saying that personal responsibility is central to the nation’s development.
“Each of us must take responsibility. The government can’t do everything,” Browne said. “Even beautifying your home — no matter how small or modest — is important. Put a few little plants in front of your house. It’s not hard to maintain.”
The Prime Minister said the initiative goes beyond aesthetics, linking cleanliness and civic pride to the country’s broader economic and social progress.
“We’re doing very well economically, but the country must reflect the extent of the wealth within it,” he said. “The litter is awful and we have to address it as a matter of urgency.”
Browne added that he expects the cleanup effort to foster a renewed sense of national pride and community engagement. “This is about pride, presentation, and progress,” he said. “We all have a part to play in making Antigua and Barbuda beautiful again.”