Leader of the Opposition Jamale Pringle delivered his response to the government’s 2025 Budget, calling it “star-studded political theatre” that offered “little style and less substance.”
Speaking before Parliament yesterday, Pringle challenged the government’s portrayal of widespread prosperity, arguing that the economic growth praise by the administration has failed to translate into meaningful benefits for ordinary citizens.
“When he speaks of ‘we’ are doing well, I must ask: Who are these fortunate few?” Pringle questioned of the Prime Minister.
“We face a situation where working mothers struggle to put food on the table, where children risk hunger and malnutrition, and where even those fortunate enough to have employment find their paychecks inadequate to meet their basic needs.”
Among his many points were the issue of water supply, with MP Pringle challenging the government’s claims of adequate water supply.
He argued that the administration had previously announced in 2017 daily water production of 7.7 million gallons against a demand of 5.5 million gallons.
“How is it that we still don’t have running water today when seven years ago, according to them, they were producing 2 million above the required amount?” he questioned.
Pringle suggested the water crisis runs deeper than production issues, pointing to repeated infrastructure repairs in areas like Buckley’s: “It’s every day, every week in Buckley’s digging up the lines… The problem is greater than production – they are misleading the people.”
On food security, Pringle criticized what he argued was the Finance Minister’s “stunning oversight” in failing to provide incentives for local farmers.
He highlighted the nation’s dependence on imported food, describing it as “a self-imposed vulnerability that leaves us dancing to the tune of global market whims and supply chain disruptions.”
However, the opposition leader spent much of his focus on the state of road infrastructure in Antigua, calling them a disgrace.
The Opposition Leader particularly questioned the government’s ability to execute road projects, pointing to persistent issues experienced by drivers- months after their construction.
“If you drive on Friars Hill Road, Sir Sidney Walling Highway, Sir George Walter Highway, drive up All Saints Road, drive on Jonas Road, drive through the communities – only then you will realize what the people are experiencing in Antigua and Barbuda,” he stated.
He also criticized the government’s approach to road maintenance, particularly questioning why newly paved roads frequently needed to be dug up and repaved shortly after completion.
Pringle also raised concerns about fiscal management in the Works Ministry, noting a revision from $8.3 million to $21 million in the ministry’s budget without proper parliamentary oversight through supplementary appropriation bills.
“This has been happening for years. The Director of Audit’s report has complained about this,” he said.
Meanwhile, Pringle also called for greater focus on drainage noting that better channeling of water runoff on road could alleviate some of the issues.
Throughout his response, Pringle repeatedly challenged the government’s transparency, suggesting that basic economic data, including unemployment figures, has become “top secret.”
He argued that this lack of transparency makes it impossible to verify the government’s claims of economic success.
