Water Manager’s Future Sparks Allegations from Former MP Chester Hughes
Former MP Chester Hughes has alleged that the water manager at the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) will soon leave his position following political pressure from the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP).
Speaking at a United Progressive Party (UPP) rally in Pares last night, Hughes claimed the manager was instructed to prioritize water distribution in St. Peter’s ahead of the upcoming by-election but refused to comply.
According to Hughes, the manager was called into a meeting where he was told to ensure St. Peter’s received water “every single day, every minute of the day” until the by-election.
Hughes alleged that the manager declined, insisting on fair water distribution across the country, given recent issues at APUA’s desalination plants, including reports of salt water entering homes.
“The man said, ‘I can’t do that to the rest of the country.’ He stood his ground,” Hughes remarked.
He further alleged that the manager was told to “go home and consider [his] ways” and claimed that the manager “will no longer be there” as of January 24. Hughes did not specify whether this departure would be voluntary or forced.
Hughes criticized what he described as the ABLP’s politicization of water distribution, suggesting that such actions harm public trust in the fair management of essential services. “This is how they run the country,” he said, calling on constituents in St. Peter’s to reject “transactional politics” in the by-election.
The former MP also used the rally to highlight broader issues in the constituency, questioning whether the community is better off under decades of ABLP leadership. He urged voters to demand greater accountability and to prioritize leadership that serves the interests of all citizens equally.
The ABLP has not yet commented on Hughes’s claims, and the water manager’s status remains unclear.
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Give me a break with this crap. The water manager should have been fired months ago. The incompetence at APUA is staggering and could only happen in Antigua. No accountability. Hundreds of millions spent on RO plants and many areas have no water. Do not tell me about pipes. If pipes are the problem how come my area got water a few times last year? If I can get water a few times last year how come that means there is no pipe problem.
WILMOTH DANIEL: “……ladies in the crowd tonight, a Chester are you come to?”
Not beliving a word coming from Cheste Hughes
School children are saying that a ‘senior official’ told the water manager he will be offered a separation package.
School children are further saying that shortly after this, the same ‘senior official’ tried to get the water manager to request a separation package from the authority.
Wha dem school children really a say?
School children are correct about the separation package. That’s exactly how it went down. The HR manager had to tell the “senior official” that for this to be legal the water manager has to make a request for separation in writing and he the “senior official” could not force it on him.
The part about the water in St. Peter, I don’t believe. My brother is one who turns water on and off and he tells me that from since October 2023, the water manager has not had any say in things. The “senior official” bypasses everyone and calls them directly to go turn water on or off. So, if the “senior official” wants water on in St Peter 24/7 it will be done. The “senior official” is trying to take all the credit but he doesn’t take any responsibility for his actions. And of course, things do go woefully wrong many times making things worse.
Martin who was “terminated” was the one asked to keep water in St Mary’s on. He was also asked to endorse Dwayne George and he refused so he was booted out. Well as they say the new driver cannot drive or is it the new “senior official”cannot senior. hmmmmm
TAP LIE CHESTER
I am not a supporter of any political party. Last night I had to diverge in Pares village because of the political meeting held by the UPP.
So I turned unto one of the side road that led right down the to the supermarket, where the meeting was held. I did not come out of my vehicle because I did not want anyone to get the impression that I was a supporter.
I say all of this to say that this article is very much untrue. That there was a sizable crowd. I listened to several speakers and they all did a credible job. I left saying to myself that if these people had only stayed together after the convention, they would have stand a great chance to win this by-election.
I think that due to the momentum that is now in ABLP favor, the leadership togetherness and hardworking to stay in power the ABLP will win this by- election. Have you seen ABLP campaign team. It is aggressive as during a general election. The PM is not leaving any stone unturned. He and the ABLP chairman are leading from the front. Even Samantha Marshall are out campaigning with Turner .
On the contrary the UPP MP’sare not out these alongside George Whenner as they should. Serpent, Richard Lewis, Shugy are not as aggressive and supportive. When they show up they do so in a lackluster manner. In fact the die hard UPP supporters are the ones that are carrying the fight .
I
In an interview the world Boss said that he asked the water manager during the St.Mary’s election not to even turn off the water in St.Mary’s . Yet the water manager continued to cut off the water in that area and making it become a political issue. So hearing this same order being given to the water manager again to ensure that every day, every second of the day that the water is on until the election is over is something that is in the APLP play book . That is politics and those in power will use everything to their advantage.
Since the last general election the APLP and Turned were fixing roads around Social Security housing scheme area . The day after the elections they moved out all the equipment, just like they did in St.Mary’s . The play field is left abandoned. Theia is pathetic and is causing people to turn off .
This only show that Gaston is unpredictable, this too nice thing in government will let square pegs get entitlement, bit no matter what Gaston do he nar trouble the vindictive electricity manager, under whose watch Apua asset comes to ruin conveniently, I have seen articles on WAPA power company in the usvi where to employees are investigated and held accountable even after retirement, the APUA shrinking assets that facilitate the for a dominant family to supply electricity is ostensibly willful, so I like when this kind of shake up takes place because if that show falls on the electricity manager foot the employees will rejoice and APUA will regain autonomy.
Do you think that it’s fair that a manager’s power was usurped and the person who did it and tries to be chief cook and bottle washer takes any credit to be had and none of the blame for his actions?
How about going to the GM to ask for clarification and be told “hey hey, don’t even bother with doing it, just resign! We will pay you your severance and if you choose to fight it, we will tie you up in court for years like transport board and you’ll still get nothing”. Can this be right coming from the mouth of a mere mortal?
This only show that Gaston is unpredictable, this too nice thing in government will let square pegs get entitlement, but no matter what Gaston do he nar trouble the vindictive electricity manager, under whose watch Apua asset comes to ruin conveniently, I have seen articles on WAPA power company in the usvi where employees are investigated and held accountable even after retirement, the APUA shrinking assets that facilitate a dominant family to supply electricity is ostensibly willful, so I like when this kind of shake up takes place because if that shoe falls on the electricity manager foot the employees will rejoice and APUA will regain autonomy.