Antigua and Barbuda’s main utility provider is to establish its own internal public works department by June 2026, in a bid to end the long-standing problem of newly repaired roads being cut open for utility works.
Information and Utilities Minister Melford Nicholas made the announcement at the commissioning of APUA’s new two-million-gallon-per-day reverse osmosis plant at Barnacle Point.
He said the move would allow the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) to better coordinate pipeline upgrades with national road projects, rather than carrying out repairs after roads have been resurfaced.
Nicholas said the issue has plagued the country since at least the 1980s and has undermined public confidence, particularly as the government invests hundreds of millions of dollars in road rehabilitation.
“We are doing the country a disservice if roads are repeatedly dug up after major upgrades,” he said, adding that the matter would no longer be deferred.
The announcement follows renewed public criticism after sections of Michael’s Avenue were cut shortly after roadworks were completed, sparking frustration on social media.
APUA’s chief executive, John Bradshaw, said many water mains are far beyond their lifespan, with some pipes approaching 100 years old.
The new unit will be central to a planned US$60m re-piping programme funded by China, covering major routes including All Saints Road and the Burning Flames Highway.
Nicholas acknowledged the plan would require significant investment in equipment and staff but said the long-term savings and improved coordination would outweigh the costs.
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It took yall so long to realize this. APUA could have worked alongside public works to tackle this issue because APUA would have knowledge and records of what pipeline on which road needed to be replaced. Working backwards in this country.
They don’t even dig the road properly. Most times they dig a trench wide enough to bury someone in just to run a 3/4 inch pipe. There must be a cleaner way to do that. They can’t get a chop saw or a small trencher?
Another failure!!!
How long have we been complaining about roads being dug soon after they have been resurfaced and left in a deplorable condition?
A long, long, long time.
The useless minister has not said nor done a thing.
Now that there has been a fallout between him and Gaston and Gaston is seeking to elevate it to the public he has found a tongue.
Have you not known what has been happening, Melford?
Have you been too busy collecting perdiem?
Sloppy, their priorities are misplaced.
They are not investing in necessities.
They don’t have the proper equipment to do certain works.
So a large bucket backhoe is used to dig across the road to lay a three inches pipe.
Soon a minister will procure the right equipment at the cost of a hair pin and sell it to government at the cost of a cruise ship.