My Fellow Antiguans and Barbudans; Residents and Friends of Antigua and Barbuda:

Here at home and around the world, we are connected at this moment by information technology, as One Family.

It is customary for individuals, families, corporations and other organisations to reflect, anticipate and resolve at the end of every year.

It is the same with governments, and with nations.

May you be resolute in keeping your New Year resolutions.

The Sunshine Administration is resolute in keeping to its core philosophy as outlined in the contract with the people, "Agenda for Change."

We resolve in 2007 to continue "to improve the lives of the citizens of Antigua and Barbuda, to put people first in all planning and policies and to prudently and equitably use the resources available to the government to do the greatest good for the greatest number of our citizens."

The Sunshine Administration firmly subscribes to the notion that it is the people who make our nation great.

As we who are members of the Antigua and Barbuda family reflect on the year just past, we give thanks to the Almighty for His generous blessings.

In true charity and with marked generosity, many in our society gave generously to others in want.

Many lives were brightened by the kindness of others.

At Christmas, as at no other time, we respected Christ's exhortation that we should love our neighbours as we love ourselves, and that we should do unto others what we would have others do unto us.

We were a nation united in the spirit of Jesus' love and his teachings.

I am deeply grateful for that.

I pray now, as I always do, that all in our country would focus on the things that unite us, and that we would all work together to eliminate those things that can divide us. I am grateful, too, for the blessings that have come Antigua and Barbuda's way in the "Old Year".

In the most challenging of times, our country has enjoyed impressive economic growth.

This has made it possible for the Sunshine government to sustain the measures that we have introduced to bring relief to the majority of Antiguans and Barbudans.

Those measures included the significant reduction in and in many cases, the removal of duties and taxes on a wide range of essential consumer items.

We were also able to continue the benefits introduced in the school uniforms and Dollar Barrel programmes.

In addition, we were able to start the school meals programme in a number of selected schools.

I take the opportunity, at this point, to commend Minister Joanne Massiah for her sterling performance in overcoming the many challenges that confronted her in her successful establishment of the demonstrably efficient, effective and welcome School Meals programme; one of the United Progressive Party's key election promises.

I also take this opportunity to entrust responsibility for the completion of the National Land Use Plan to Minister Massiah, who will continue the work the Ministry has been doing on this project under the leadership of the Minister of Agriculture. Very importantly, our country has been able to reduce a portion of the expensive debt the Treasury has had to carry from the previous administration.

This has gone a long way in restoring respect for Antigua and Barbuda among the countries of the region and in the international community.

The Sunshine Government came into office with an obligation to rescue the economy.

Though still in our third year, we have made manifest progress in revitalizing the economy.

I pay tribute to the enterprising Antiguans and Barbudans, native born and otherwise, whose business enterprise has been a vital catalyst in our country's increasing prosperity.

I also pay tribute to our trade union leadership, who recognise the value of cooperation and joint effort with the social partners.

Citizens, Residents, Friends of Antigua and Barbuda: The past year saw the economy of Antigua and Barbuda being placed on strong economic pillars that resulted in a record 12% growth - the highest growth rate ever achieved in the past 28 years.

In the challenging year ahead, we anticipate even more robust growth. This unprecedented level of economic growth will continue to be driven by significant expansion in the construction sector and a rebound of the tourism sector. The vibrancy of the two main economic sectors in our economy in 2006 has resulted in growth in other sectors of the economy. In the New Year the government's programme of economic stabilization and adjustment will continue. The introduction of the Antigua and Barbuda Sales Tax in the first quarter of the New Year will further consolidate the tax system. Consumers will enjoy benefits from this system; which replaces consumption tax, the hotel tax and the telecommunications tax.

Citizens, Residents, Friends of Antigua and Barbuda: The government of Antigua and Barbuda as a major shareholder in LIAT has a vested interest in putting the airline on a financially viable footing capable of meeting the challenges of competition and liberalization.

Presently shareholder governments are involved in a series of negotiations and discussions surrounding the future of LIAT and air transport in the sub-region. As a shareholder government, we will continue to play our part in ensuring that the best and most viable options for the future of air transport in the sub-region is secured in 2007.

The high cost of fuel will remain a key priority on the government's agenda for 2007. The Petro Caribe initiative is now operational and to date, two shipments of petroleum products have been secured by PDV Caribe Antigua and Barbuda Limited and distributed by the West Indies Oil Company.

As a result, funds generated from this arrangement with the Venezuelan Government will be specifically utilized for social and community development projects to be identified by the government.

The government cherishes the excellent bilateral relations and economic cooperation that exist with Venezuela and our other regional and international partners including, in particular, the People's Republic of China, and the Republic of Cuba.

Citizens, Residents, Friends of Antigua and Barbuda:

The Sunshine Government in the New Year will continue to hold as paramount the security of our respective communities and the safety of all in our twin island state.

The government and law enforcement officials will address the issue of crime and violence with a full frontal approach.

No energies will be spared in the New Year to tackle this seemingly escalating trend.

In November of 2006, as National Security Minister, I ordered an urgent and comprehensive review of our crime-fighting capabilities and a re-assessment of police strategies in arresting crime.

I called for an overhaul of our mechanisms of rapid response to both potential and actual incident scenes and the investigation and solving of violent crime reports including shootings, burglary, housebreaking, rape, and aggravated assaults.

Early in January I will assemble the top brass of the Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda to evaluate the findings of the assessment and to audit the successes of the measures that were recently implemented by the police.

A meeting with the police high command along with the leadership of the Defence Force, ONDCP and the Attorney General will immediately follow that meeting.

The Agenda will be to chart the way forward in fighting crime and violence in Antigua and Barbuda.

To further enhance the crime fighting capabilities of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda, 48 new police constables will be recruited next year.

In addition, the government will collaborate with friendly nations in procuring modern crime fighting equipment for the police to include modern Forensic systems.

The government will also move immediately to establish a human resource department within the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda.

The establishment of the Human Resources Department within the Police Force will aid in developing, communicating and enforcing policies and practices that reflect standards of acceptable behaviour for members of the force.

The Human Resources Department within the Police Force will also recognize and address the needs of the officers in conjunction with the Police Welfare Association.

Chief among the tasks of the Human Resources Department will be the improvement of the individual performances of officers.

The roles, rules, consequences and tools needed for officers to effectively carry out their duties will be provided and fully articulated.

I applaud the devotion of the countless police officers who discharge their duty to protect and serve all of Antigua and Barbuda with dedication, and beyond the call of duty.

I encourage all officers to be proud in knowing that you serve in one of the most vital institutions in this country.

There are numerous officers who can be singled out for acts of bravery and exemplary work - the government acclaims them highly. The issue of deportees to Antigua and Barbuda and the Caribbean is of serious concern to the government.

With over sixty individuals deported from the United States to this country in 2006 after serving jail time for various criminal offences, many of whom have lived most of their lives in the US, the Ministry of Social Transformation will be required to focus more particularly on the social displacement needs of these individuals. The relevant division within the Ministry will work closely with the Police and Immigration Departments and the job search and procurement divisions within the Ministry of Labour.

Every assistance will be given by the division within the Ministry of Social Transformation to ensure that deportees are fully integrated into our society and that they lead lives free of crime.

Citizens, Residents, Friends of Antigua and Barbuda: The New Year holds a bright future for the young people of this nation. The government will be redoubling our efforts to have more young Antiguan and Barbudan nationals receive tertiary education.

Already for this New Year, students will be able to apply for scholarships to study in Egypt, Malaysia and the People's Republic of China.

I reaffirm my government's belief that education is the most effective means of empowering our people.

With our "People First" philosophy, our commitment is to ensure that every citizen and resident have access to opportunities to better himself or herself educationally and economically.

Today, I am also painfully aware that one of our shortcomings as a government in the thrust to educate our people is the yet-to-be completed construction of the new public library.

We are determined that the new public library will be opened not later than the second quarter of the New Year. To propel this process, Cabinet has already agreed on certain steps which will see the Board of Education playing a more direct role in seeing to the completion of this long outstanding project.

Early in 2006, I charged the Ministry of Youth Affairs to commission a National Task Force on Youth Development with the aim of formulating a programme to mobilize young people in wholesome and productive activities.

I am pleased to announce that I have been presented the Antigua and Barbuda National Youth Policy as devised by the Task Force.

The expressed goals of the Policy are to cultivate a culture of positive youth engagement and participation in decision making at all levels of nation building; to provide the framework to establish, operate and support youth governance mechanisms; and to provide a holistic approach to youth development to assist young people in realizing their full potential.

Citizens, Residents, Friends of Antigua and Barbuda:

Cricket World Cup 2007 and affiliated projects are expected to yield untold benefits to Antigua and Barbuda.

With the awarding of contracts to manage and operate the Mount St. John's Hospital and the expansion of the V.C. Bird International Airport and the completion of the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium in a few weeks time, Antigua and Barbuda is fully on its way to hosting a successful Cricket World Cup in March.

The Government will also accelerate the road rehabilitation programme immediately.

This area of our country's infrastructure will receive sustained high intensity attention. I will in the first few weeks of the New Year convene a meeting with the environmental division, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Tourism with the aim of making February a "Green Month."

Indeed, it is my intention to make 2007 a green year for Antigua and Barbuda. With Cricket World Cup 2007, the 50th Anniversary celebration of Carnival, the 40th Annual Sailing Week, and the 20th Classic Sailing Regatta Antigua and Barbuda will welcome the world in 2007.

We must all work together to make sure that our visitors find a truly welcoming environment when they arrive.

Another significant occasion in the 2007 calendar of events is the celebration to mark the Bicentenary anniversary of the British Empire Atlantic Slave Trade on 26 March.

By commemorating the dismantling of the institution of slavery we will be honouring the memory of those who died as a result of one of the worst act of violation of human rights in the history of humanity, including through exposure to the horrors of the Middle Passage and in revolt against and resistance to enslavement.

I will move to establish a Planning Committee which will be tasked with organizing activities to include education and awareness programmes concerning the Bicentenary celebration and the question of Reparations.

It is important that as a nation we reflect on the institution of slavery which was at the heart of profound social and economic inequality, hatred, bigotry, racism and prejudice, which we must ensure does not affect us again as a people.

Citizens, Residents, Friends of Antigua and Barbuda:

The Sunshine Government remains committed to focusing on the liberalization of the telecommunications market and the development of a Regulatory Unit to ensure fairness in a newly liberalized market.

The operation of a new undersea fibre optic cable will be a significant facet of the government's information technology and telecommunications thrust early in the New Year.

The fibre optic cable will further lower the cost of overseas calls and Internet access. This administration views the operation of the new fibre optic cable as a major import to the productive sectors and in the educational advancement of our people.

Citizens, Residents, Friends of Antigua and Barbuda:

In my mid term address on the 24th of September, I confirmed that I considered it necessary to reconstruct my administration to ensure better-ordered and speedier discharge of ministerial functions by members of Cabinet.

The adjustments in Cabinet responsibilities that I am implementing -and will now share with you - are driven by the country's priorities and by the resources available to me as Prime Minister.

Acting in accordance with the Constitution of Antigua and Barbuda, I will advise the Governor General to make a number of changes in Cabinet responsibilities, which are to take effect immediately, and which are as follows:

• Sports and Youth Affairs move to the Ministry of Education; which becomes The Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth Affairs.
• Culture, inclusive of the Independence Celebrations, the Community Pride Programme, Carnival and the Environment , now move to the Ministry of Tourism. That Ministry now becomes The Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Culture and the Environment.
• The Antigua Public Utilities Authority and Energy move to the Office of the Prime Minister. The country's leader said thatMinister Trevor Walker will assist him with matters relating to Energy and APUA with a Board that is expected to carry forward government policy and is answerable to the Prime Minister.

The realignment of Cabinet responsibilities is also accompanied by the changes in the responsibilities and deployment of a number of Ministers:

• Deputy Prime Minister, Willmoth Daniel, retains responsibility for the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation, including the Port Authority.
• Minister John Maginley is the Minister of Health. 2007 Cricket World Cup will, however, remain with Minister Maginley.
• Minister Colin Derrick now becomes the Minister of Justice and Public Safety with additional responsibility for the Police and Fire Division.
• Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Justin Simon will now have additional responsibility for the Land and Commercial Registries.
• Minister Winston Williams is now Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth Affairs with responsibility for Sports and Youth Affairs.
• Minister Eleston Adams is now Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Culture and the Environment with responsibility for Culture and Independence Celebrations.

Additionally, I propose to make maximum use of Senator Aziz Hadeed's unmatched experience and acumen in international business as Ambassador Extraordinaire and Plenipotentiary, with Ministerial Rank. Ambassador Hadeed will be the country's point man in international trade and foreign direct investment promotion, merchant shipping and the promotion and establishment of the Caribbean Festival Park. I am also announcing the appointment of Mr. Leon "Chaku" Symister as Ambassador Extraordinaire and Plenipotentiary. I am confident that His Excellency Ambassador Extraordinaire and Plenipotentiary Leon Symister will utilize his legal background to make meaningful contributions to the country's Foreign Policy and other initiatives.

Citizens, Residents Friends of Antigua and Barbuda:

There has, for some time, emerged a scenario in which, in certain cases, Ministers of State were disposed to acting with assumed autonomy from the substantive Minister. Hereafter, Ministers of State will operate under the direction of substantive Ministers in the discharge of assigned responsibilities. While Ministers of State attend Cabinet Meetings by invitation, the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda comprises ten Ministers, together with the Prime Minister.

I must also emphasize that all international accords and treaties are properly the responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, supported by the technical expertise of appropriate ministries, and that of the office of the Attorney General. The restructuring that I have announced is deigned to ensure that our country's critical imperatives in the delivery of social programmes, infrastructure development, education, public safety, public health care, tourism expansion, national cohesion and good governance, will stay on course, on time, and on budget.

Citizens, Residents Friends of Antigua and Barbuda:,

As we enter the New Year, I thank God for you. I thank God for the efforts of all of our public servants and members of the private sector who work tirelessly in the development of this land we call home. I also ask God's blessings on the members of the many civic and voluntary organizations who give of their time and resources to assist the less fortune of our society. We thank God for the Christian men and women of our communities who constantly hold up the Sunshine Administration in prayer.

On a personal note, I thank all who have expressed kind sentiments and mentioned me in their prayers during the Christmas Season and throughout the year just ended.

I ask for your prayers for God's continued guidance for your Government in the New Year.

May God bless you and your loved ones with health, happiness, peace and security in the New Year and ever after. May God continue to Bless our beloved nation, Antigua and Barbuda.