Citizens, Residents, Friends
of Antigua and Barbuda:

Thirty months ago, the Antiguan and Barbudan people gave the United Progressive Party an overwhelming mandate to govern our country for a five-year period, initially.

Antigua and Barbuda's peaceful and democratic transition to a new government, after 28 consecutive years under a single political party, was widely applauded, and envied.

During the past 30 months, I have never ceased repeating my first public expression after the will of the electorate was confirmed, following the General Election of March 23, 2004.

To God be the Glory!

To God be the Glory!

To God be the Glory!

Since that historic moment, I have frequently affirmed that as God was our compass during that fiercely contested election campaign of 2004, He continues to be our compass as we govern.

Our annual Independence Jubilation Gospel Concert is an expression of our enduring gratitude to The Almighty.

We have constantly prayed for His divine guidance; and God has been generous in His blessings upon our nation.

Earlier today, members of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, and members of the United Progressive Party, were among large numbers of Antiguans and Barbudans, here at home, and in other lands, who offered special praise to the Almighty on this mid-term milestone for the UPP and for our nation.

In the face of daunting challenges for Antigua and Barbuda, the first 30 months of Government in the Sunshine has been a period of notable achievement.

Indeed, it was a challenging period for the region and the world.

The increasing globalisation of terror has been a threat to much of the world's population.

Resulting from this, counter-terrorism measures decreed by the United States, primarily, have inflicted a heavy financial burden on Antigua and Barbuda, and on other vulnerable economies.

In a related context, spiraling oil prices have been particularly harsh on small economies like ours.

Tragically, young people around the world and across our region have increasingly become the principal victims of, and perhaps principal offenders in, the increasing globalisation of crime.

The transnational trade in illicit drugs en route to North America and Europe has been a significant factor in the regional pandemic of crime and violence that has been devastating our societies.

It is widely acknowledged that American television and "Gangster Rap" are causative factors in the criminalisation of young minds in Caribbean societies; as are deviant portals on the World Wide Web.

Tropical storms and hurricanes, and a tsunami of mythical proportions, have devastated many areas of the developing world.

The increasing scourge of HIV/AIDS has caused even more severe devastation in our societies.

The gap between the rich and the poor has widened around the globe; private individuals and corporations have become wealthier than countries; while some 3 billion people continue to subsist at poverty level.

Social deprivation was an entrenched factor, here in Antigua and Barbuda, when the UPP came to office.

Despite our reported high per capita income, so parlous and perilous was the Antigua and Barbuda economy, Air Traffic control personnel shut down VC Bird International Airport, our principal gateway to the world, when the previous government was unable to raise the money required for the public service wage bill.

The country's "Bubble Economy", which was based on expanding state employment, had burst.

Antigua and Barbuda's overall deficit had increased at an average rate of some 48% per year, to an overall deficit of 193.49 million dollars by 2003.

By then, public sector salaries and wages accounted for over 60% of current revenue; the highest ratio in the region.

Public sector debt had climbed to an astronomical 2.86 billion dollars.

This was approaching 50% more than the country's Gross Domestic Product at 2003.

In the five years leading up to 2003, Antigua and Barbuda's debt service obligations averaged close to 33% of current revenue.

Citizens, Residents, Friends
of Antigua and Barbuda:

Within this daunting environment, my Government swiftly introduced new standards of fiscal discipline, transparency and accountability in governance.

At the same time, we kept faith with the people by introducing a range of social programmes to assist the vulnerable in our country.

Our immigrant communities were among the more vulnerable groups in our society.

No matter how long they had been resident in Antigua and Barbuda, they were constantly reminded of their vulnerability by being labeled "Non-Nationals".

With the Millennium Naturalisation Act, the Sunshine Government brought early and lasting relief to our sisters and brothers from other lands.

No longer are they treated as second-class citizens.

They have become proud and loyal Antiguan and Barbudan citizens.

The Prevention of Corruption Act, the Integrity in Public Life Act, and the Freedom of Information Act were early proof that the Sunshine Government was serious about eradicating corruption from government.

In the years leading up to 2004, government corruption had done untold damage to Antigua and Barbuda's image; regionally and internationally.

The over-subscription of the government's recent Issue of $100 Million in Treasury Bonds is compelling evidence of the Sunshine Government's early success in establishing goodwill, respect and trust for Antigua and Barbuda, and its government, in the region, among the nations of the world, and in the local, regional and international financial community.

This was after a long period in which Antigua and Barbuda had been widely seen as a virtual pariah and a renegade state in serious dereliction of its financial obligations to regional and international institutions.

The United Progressive Party came to office on the declared intention of fundamental tax reform as a key strategy in reconstructing an economy requiring extensive intensive care.

In keeping with the UPP commitment to putting people first, we exempted more than 70% of all income earners from the Personal Income Tax net.

In preparation for the Antigua and Barbuda Sales Tax, we have either eliminated or reduced duties and taxes on a wide range of staple consumer items; many of which will be zero-rated when the ABST is introduced.

As a priority, we increased benefits for senior citizens and other vulnerable citizens in our first year.

To ease the financial squeeze on the mass of the population, the UPP moved swiftly to deliver our promise of free school uniforms for our nation's children.

17,503 children received Government vouchers for free school uniforms for the current school year.

We have started the pilot school meals programme.

In addition to assisting in clothing and feeding the children of the nation, we are reshaping the curriculum to evolving standards and demands.

In addition, all schools in Antigua and Barbuda will shortly be online; with Internet access for all students.

The Government's thrust to educate its people has borne tremendous fruit. Never before have there been so many young Antiguans and Barbudans studying abroad. Through the hard work of our Ambassadors, over 150 scholarships have been offered to our people to study in international and regional universities.

This investment in our people will only make our nation stronger.

Through funding under the Stanford Alliance, preparations are continuing for the establishment of the Institute of Excellence, which will provide tertiary education options for hundreds of students.

We are weeks away from the third year of the Dollar Barrel.

The nation's families see the Dollar Barrel as the most thoughtful, generous and welcome benefit they have received from their government.

We have initiated a Public Sector Transformation Programme, with a compassionate and generous voluntary separation offer, for which well over a thousand government employees have applied.

The initiatives the government has taken, to date, have borne early fruit that are measurable and of benefit to the Antiguan and Barbudan people.

In the face of sharply rising oil prices, the government subsidized the price of gas to cushion motorists against increases at the pump. Antigua and Barbuda is now ahead of all other countries in the region in cell phone penetration.

We are transforming the way government does business.

We are posting Tenders specifications on the World Wide Web and we are delivering a range of services to citizens, via the Internet.

From annual revenues of less than half a million dollars a year, we have increased income from the Maritime Registry to upwards of one million EC dollars a month.

Because of the policies of the government, the country is now experiencing a construction boom, which, unfortunately, is inhibited by severe shortages of labour and material.

Resulting from this, there is the likelihood that we will have to import labour for our road development programme and for other public sector investment projects.

We have a plan for the modifications that will bring VC Bird International Airport up to World Cup Cricket specifications. The Tenders Board will shortly announce the investment partner for the redevelopment of VC Bird International Airport.

All in all, the Sunshine Government has delivered.

The Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium is on schedule for next year's Cricket World Cup.

We have delivered substantially on the commitments of our Agenda for Change, the 2004 UPP election manifesto.

All of this, and we have only just begun.

Citizens, Residents, Friends
of Antigua and Barbuda:

In contrast to the occasional convenience to which it had been relegated in the past, the UPP Administration increased the frequency of Parliamentary sittings in both Houses, to a monthly schedule, and restored our highest forum to its central position among the principal estates of our parliamentary democracy.

Parliament is soon to move to a new home.
The new Parliament Building will enhance the image and standing of this, the institution in which the power of the people resides, and in which the interests of the people are debated and determined.

The new Parliament Building will be an appropriate symbol of the majesty of Parliament.

Citizens, Residents, Friends
of Antigua and Barbuda:

We face overwhelming odds in the Caribbean Single Market, and fierce competition in an increasingly borderless globalised world.

As we approach the silver jubilee of our nation's Independence;

As we ready ourselves for record numbers of visitors in the coming winter season;

As we prepare to welcome the world for Cricket World Cup 2007;

Let us recognise that Antigua and Barbuda will work best when all her sons and daughters, native and adopted, work together. Recognising this, let us celebrate the things that unite us as a people, and as a nation.

We can best build ourselves if we work to build one another, together.

This is the way to a stronger, more united and more prosperous Antigua and Barbuda.

Citizens, Residents, Friends
of Antigua and Barbuda:

The midway mark in our first term is an occasion of review and reflection for me, and for your government.

I thank you for giving the United Progressive Party the opportunity to serve all in our country.

I admit to our shortcomings as a government.

I admit to my Ministers' shortcomings, where they may exist.

I admit to my own shortcomings, where they may also exist.

On the question of justice, particularly to crimes perpetrated against the people, the past 30 months have not been a success story.

We concentrated, and rightly so, in laying a solid foundation for sustainable growth and development. After 30 months, the economy of Antigua and Barbuda and related matters are on the rebound.

The time has definitely come for my government to dedicate the next 30 months to the issue of justice for and on behalf of the people of Antigua and Barbuda. Whatever measures and mechanisms are necessary to achieve this, will be put in place.

Additionally, it is my duty to manage the affairs of the nation so as to fulfill our Agenda for Change; and as to expand our Agenda for Growth.

To these ends, I shall take the actions that are necessary to guarantee better ordered and speedier discharge of Ministerial functions by members of Cabinet.

In this context, I contemplate a degree of restructuring of the Cabinet; which I will shortly share with you.

Citizens, Residents, Friends
of Antigua and Barbuda:

Whatever credit I have claimed for my government during this broadcast, I must share with the public officers who execute government policy; and with you the Antiguan and Barbudan people, for supporting your government in various ways; including simply by being good and productive citizens.

I shall demand of myself, my Ministers and my Party, a redoubling of our efforts to make Antigua and Barbuda a better place for all.

I pledge, and I shall demand of my Ministers and the United Progressive Party a renewal of our pledged commitment to put people first, to put party before self, and to put country before party, and before self.

These are some of the intentions with which I embark on the next 30 months of our first term as a government, and as I continue on whatever further period you permit me as your Chief Servant.

I thank you for your prayers.

I thank God for your support.

May God bless you and your loved ones.

May God continue to richly bless our beloved Antigua and Barbuda.