In
addition, the Morris Bay resort will see the construction of a high end resort
valued at US$120Million and Barbuda will benefit from a US$250M luxury resort
for high net worth individuals. The property will be developed by a renown
American Celebrity and an Australian Billionaire.
Our
Government pledged to treat Barbuda and Barbudans as our co-equals and we will
ensure that Barbuda is developed concurrently with Antigua. This US$250M
investment project will change the economic land scape of Barbuda for the
better, providing investment opportunities and hundreds of sustainable jobs for
Barbudans.
These
and several other smaller properties, will break ground in 2015, stimulating
economic growth and development, thereby reversing the many years of economic
misfortune.
The
cruise and cargo ports will be expanded and modernized to facilitate increased
trade. Through assertive leadership, my government in partnership with
members in the private sector have been instrumental in attracting more
tourists to the island. 2015 will see a significant increase in cruise
arrivals, as well as, an increase in stay over visitors.
And
500 new homes will be built in 500 days across the nation.
To
date, we have incorporated the National Housing & Urban Renewal Company, a
wholly owned government corporation and have capitalized the company primarily
through private grant funding, with an initial EC$13M, and a further EC$7
million to follow in a few weeks, bringing the initial capital to EC$20
Million.
The
company is presently acquiring and developing land to commence construction in
a few weeks.
National
Housing will serve as a development company and will also be involved in
contracting activities in the public sector to assist with the repairs and
maintenance of government buildings.
Government
properties that are to be rehabilitated, including the Police Headquarters, the
Newgate Street Police Station Building, and Government House.
Our
Administration has requested concessionary funding of US$40 million from the
Government of Mexico to assist in housing renewal and expansion. We are
determined to rid the landscape of all those dilapidated homes that are
littered across the country.
It
is expected that National Housing will provide several hundred jobs for
citizens and residents before the end of the year and thousands of jobs in the
near future.
The
new University College of Antigua and Barbuda will be launched at Five Islands,
a site to which the Antigua State College will be relocated.
The
old State College site will become a Secondary School to meet growing
demand. In excess of six million dollars will be invested in the decrepit
structure that stands unfinished on the college compound. Construction is
expected to commence before the end of the year.
Presently,
we are pursuing sustainable strategies to resolve the water crisis that has
plagued our country for the past year. This includes the acquisition of a
mobile reverse osmosis plant to service the English Harbour area, as well
increased production from, SembCorp and APUA existing water production
facilities.
We
will rebuild our country. We will provide hundreds of jobs within our
first few months in office. We will put our people back to work and
provide them with good quality housing.
And,
in that rebuilding there is a place for every willing citizen and resident of
our country. No one will be left behind.
One
of the architects of the new Antigua and Barbuda is the venerable, emeritus
leader of the Antigua & Barbuda Labour Party, the Honourable Lester Bryant
Bird.
Sir.
Lester was an outstanding athlete during his youth. He was an outstanding
cricketer, a footballer, and he earned his spurs in high jump and long jump. He
subsequently graduated from Grays Inn, London, as a lawyer before returning
home to Antigua to practice law. He served our country in excess of 40 years as
a Parliamentarian, including18 as Deputy Prime Minister and 10 as Prime
Minister.
The
Honourable Lester Bryant Bird is a heroic figure in our recent history.
Unarguably, he has made the second single largest contribution to the
socio-economic advancement of our country.
He
is the father of modern Antigua & Barbuda.
In
recognition of his contribution and keeping with the authority vested in the
Prime Minister by The National Honours (Amendment) Act 2000, the
Governor General has been advised, with the concurrence of Cabinet and the
Honours Committee, to confer upon this great citizen of Antigua and Barbuda,
during the 33rd Anniversary of our country’s Independence, the
honour of Knight Companion of the Most Exalted Order of National Hero.
I
am certain that Antiguans and Barbudans consider Sir Lester most deserving of
this honour and also share the enormous outpouring of love and admiration that
we all hold for this outstanding son of the soil.
He
will enjoy his flowers while still alive.
My
fellow Antiguans and Barbudans, Independence is not just a word or a concept.
Independence
is what gives us the right to make our own decisions as a nation; the privilege
not to bend our knee to any but God; the opportunity to claim our entitlements
in the international community and to resist the pressures and demands of
external forces.
But,
we will not preserve our independence like large nations with military might;
we can only defend it and enlarge it by economic success.
That
is why we all have to work together; strive together and achieve
together. That is why we must work in unison in the transformation of our
country into an economic powerhouse in the Caribbean.
Independence
is a time for rejoicing and reflection on past challenges and achievements.
It
is also a time to look to the future.
The
Antigua and Barbuda we want for our children and their children is one that
perpetually rises – producing jobs, and communities free of crime.
We
want an Antigua and Barbuda where everyone can share in prosperity; where
opportunities are available to all who are willing.
Achieving
those worthy goals is within our capacity and within our reach.
Let
us make this 33rd Anniversary of Independence, a celebration of Team
Antigua and Barbuda, and all that our nation can achieve as one.
I
am happy to lead this team and to lead by example of hard work, sharp focus and
a resolve to deliver.
I
invite you all to join me, in what for all of us, will be an exciting, dynamic
and wholly beneficial journey in the advancement of our nation.
God
bless our beautiful twin island state.
