Punter Okay With Budget

Details

Economy

Wednesday, 19 December 2012 02:29

By Carol Williams

Antigua, St. John's - After months of pleading by officials on Barbuda, Central Government has agreed to seriously consider granting more autonomy to the sister island, particularly in relation to attracting and implementing economic projects.

This is one of four issues that will be zeroed in when a comprehensive review takes place next year on the status of relations between Antigua and Barbuda.

The importance of Barbuda’s economy, the relevance of the Barbuda Local Government Act, and the possibility of implementing a viable and affordable transportation system between the mainland and the sister island will also be looked at.

Barbuda Council Chairman Kelvin Punter said he is somewhat satisfied with what was outlined in the 2013 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure.

A conference will likely be held next January to examine the relationship between the two islands and come up with recommendations on how best to move forward.

"We are looking at putting together a document to give to Government, which looks at the dock, revenue collection and other issues," Punter told Caribarena.

This year, the council was able to keep a tighter lid on spending, requesting around $700,000 in a supplementary budget compared with $3 million sought in 2011.

"If we adhere to some of the recommendations I think we can come out of 2013 better than we went into it," he said, describing the budget as "well put together."

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Two hot-button issues that will dominate the attention of Council members going into the New Year are the cost of transportation and the proposal by the state-owned Antigua Public Utilities Authority to hand over responsibility for electricity generation and water supply to the council.

While SVG Air operates daily flights, those in the afternoons are only done on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, with the departure time from Antigua brought forward by two and a half hours.

In addition, the price of an airline ticket has moved from around $180 return to $300 within a year.

"If the flight arrives late in the morning our goose is cooked," said the Council Chairman. "I don't think SVG Air is faring in the best interest of the people, and we are looking at having talks with the Government and the principals of SVG to see how flights can improve."

Punter is hoping discussions will also take place before year end on the APUA divestment plan.

"I believe that we need to look at that whole situation before we go and grab it. If we're going to take over something like that in this economic climate we have to look at it carefully and get it structured it a way that the residents would be more comfortable with. One of the things that has to be looked at seriously is that persons in Antigua pay more per unit for electricity than in Barbuda," he said.

APUA representatives informed the Council last month that the cost of subsidizing electricity and water to Barbuda is untenable.

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