Government is giving an enthusiastic welcome to the sod-turning exercises that marked the start of work on the US $2 billion dollars in- vestment project by the YIDA International Group.In monumental ceremonies, both on mainland Antigua and on Guiana Island, representatives of YIDA International Investment Group, senior government officials, and distinguished persons participated in the exercises. In monumental ceremonies, both on mainland Antigua and on Guiana Island, representatives of YIDA International Investment Group, senior government officials, and distinguished persons participated in the exercises. The primary site for the ceremony was at Barnacle Point.
There the government and the YIDA Group officials addressed the audience. The project will be the first of its kind in Antigua, involving high-end tourism facilities. There will be the establishment of the Antigua Special Economic Zone.
Governor General, His Excellency Sir Rodney Williams welcomed the major transformational investment into the country by the YIDA Group, seeing the income and inputs as significant boosts for the country’s economy.
Prime Minister. Hon Gaston Browne, aptly described the investment to be transformational, stating that it will help to realize the Government’s dream of making Antigua and Barbuda become an economic powerhouse.
But it was the voices raised in opposition to the project over their environmental concerns, that the Prime Minister gave rational and pragmatic explanation.
PM Browne said he will not allow minority groups or fundamentalists to dictate for the majority of the people. He explained that he is all for listening to the concerns of groups in the society, but in the end, the decision rests with his government.
The Prime Minister called on those opposing the project based on ‘misguided’ or even real environmental concerns, to be balanced in their approach. He said that both the government and the developers will seek to implement the project sensibly and responsibly.