{"id":265461,"date":"2026-01-28T09:59:35","date_gmt":"2026-01-28T13:59:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=265461"},"modified":"2026-01-28T09:59:36","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T13:59:36","slug":"video-the-government-is-not-ignoring-pipe-replacement-minister-says","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/video-the-government-is-not-ignoring-pipe-replacement-minister-says\/","title":{"rendered":"VIDEO: The government is not ignoring pipe replacement, Minister says"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Nicholas Says Pipe Replacement Ongoing but Water Production Must Be Addressed First<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Utilities Minister Melford Nicholas<\/strong> says the government is not ignoring the replacement of aging water pipelines, but must first increase water production to address immediate shortages being experienced by residents.<\/p>

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Speaking on Pointe FM\u2019s Taking Stock<\/em> programme, Nicholas explained that much of the country\u2019s water infrastructure consists of cast-iron pipes that are more than 50 years old and have suffered extensive corrosion over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said efforts to increase potable water production place additional pressure on the aging network, often exposing weaknesses in the pipes and contributing to issues such as discoloured water and leakage.<\/p>

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Nicholas noted that pipe replacement is necessary but described the scale of the undertaking as significant, pointing out that the network spans hundreds of miles across the country.<\/p>

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He said Antigua and Barbuda has secured external grant funding to replace up to US$60 million worth of pipelines, but emphasized that the work must be carried out in phases due to the size of the system and the complexity involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The minister indicated that while pipeline replacement is underway in critical areas, production improvements cannot be delayed, as residents require relief from ongoing water shortages even as long-term infrastructure upgrades continue.<\/p>

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WATCH VIDEO<\/strong>
Utilities Minister Melford Nicholas discusses water production and pipeline replacement during the<\/em> Taking Stock programme on Pointe FM.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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