Preparatory works for Antigua and Barbuda’s subsea cable project at Morris Bay have been suspended after materials at the site were deliberately set on fire, the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) has confirmed.
Telecoms crews returned to the Old Road location on Friday, 12 December, to find conduits and other installed equipment destroyed. Early estimates place the damage in the thousands of dollars.
APUA condemned the incident, warning that escalating tensions in the area were putting workers and residents at risk.
The fire comes after a week of disruptions. On Wednesday, 10 December, APUA staff were present during an unrelated confrontation between residents and the Development Control Authority. Crews attempted to resume work the following day but withdrew again as tensions rose, prompting a full suspension.
The civil works include trenching, installing conduits, and building a beach manhole and equipment shelter to support the landing of a new subsea cable. Road cutting at Morris Bay has caused a temporary traffic diversion, which APUA says has been prolonged by repeated interruptions. The Authority apologised for the inconvenience and said it hopes to resume work once the site is secure.
APUA noted that it held a town hall meeting with Old Road residents on 14 October, where feedback on the project was largely positive.
Despite the setback, the Authority said it remains committed to community engagement and urged calm as it works to restore the site. The subsea cable, considered a major investment to strengthen the country’s digital infrastructure and economy, is expected to be operational in 2027.
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Ok they really backward then…..SMH……..Ur representative illegally have a tent on the beach and he was given many opportunities to sort it out….He basically say he na kay he nar move none and now the government took action some of his constituents thought it would be a good idea to destroy equipment that benefits the community…….SMH……Uncle Gassy go address y’all soon and I hope they find the persons responsible….
WOW!!! Just WOW!!! I guess this is ok. Dem nah want fucking nutten out dey. It’s really sad and backward. I’m soooo disgusted by this.
old road ppl reaLLY DUNCE.,.ermm…wel….theier leader is Pringle
All I will say is, WHEN V.C.BIRD SR AND HIS TEAM WAS ‘FIGHTING’ FOR JUSTICE, THINGS HAD TO BE DONE.
Long live the legacy of V.C. BIRD SR and what he taught us.
Lmaoo so then nar get running water too…. chupit chupit
Lmaoo so then nar get running water too…. chupit chupit
These people are so stupid. They only hurting themselves
It wasn’t worth it! APUA is trying to help the situation they are having and they are making it worse than it was to begin with.
Between dem neargah day and Barbuda people, a wonder who worse???
IGNORANT, BACKWARD and CHEWPIT no wah
FREEDOM FROM POLITICAL TYRANY AND TYRANTS IS A MUST.
INDEPENDENT PEOPLE DON’T NEED HANDOUTS FOR VOTES.
NO BADY GO RUN WE!