Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced that the government will begin restoring and redeveloping its own derelict buildings, saying the state must “lead by example” as it moves to enforce property upkeep and tax compliance across the country.
Speaking during Thursday’s parliamentary debate on the Tax Administration and Procedure (Amendment) Bill 2025, Browne said the Cabinet had recently discussed the issue and agreed that government properties in poor condition will be repaired or repurposed as part of a national effort to improve the physical appearance of communities.
“We cannot expect private property owners to maintain their buildings while government properties remain in disrepair,” Browne told the House.
“The Cabinet has agreed that the government must set the example. We will start fixing our own derelict buildings as part of this broader initiative.”
The Prime Minister said the decision forms part of a wider urban renewal and beautification drive that includes addressing abandoned lots, derelict houses, and unkempt government facilities.
The goal, he said, is to create cleaner, safer, and more livable neighborhoods while holding both public and private property owners accountable for their surroundings.
Browne made the comments while defending the property tax amendment, which gives authorities greater powers to act against long-term defaulters and abandoned properties.
He rejected opposition claims that the bill is “draconian,” stressing that it targets chronic neglect and dereliction, not ordinary homeowners.
