Government accused of breeding delinquents

The government is being accused of “breeding a new type of youth offender” as it continues to subsidise Barbudans living in Antigua.
The statement was expressed by Makeda Mikael,  businesswoman and former aide to Sir Thomas Hilbourne Frank, a former member of Parliament for Barbuda, during a recent interview.
“In Antigua, with nothing to do, their whole cultural approach to life has changed. They can now eat free, live free, get into trouble, have nothing to do and become a changed personality,” Mikael said.
The comment comes as the government continues to pay for living arrangements, food, clothing transportation and other basic needs for Barbudans, following their evacuation to Antigua three months ago.
Most Barbudans are receiving a full salary from the Barbuda Council, basic relief supplies from the National Office of Disaster Services (NODS), and an additional weekly sum from the Antigua and Barbuda Red Cross.
During a preliminary assessment on Barbuda in November 2017, it was determined that some 1,071 buildings out of the total number of 1,203 on Barbuda have been damaged or destroyed.
That assessment was facilitated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in conjunction with the Barbuda Council, NODS, engineers, architects, contractors and volunteers.
(More in today’s Daily Observer)