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Nicholas touts national water projects, promises automated distribution system
City East MP Melford Nicholas has announced a series of major improvements to Antigua and Barbuda’s water infrastructure, including the introduction of an automated water distribution system and new desalination capacity.
Speaking at an Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) political rally over the weekend, Mr Nicholas said that the government is modernising the operations of the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) in ways not seen in the company’s 52-year history.
“I want that entire system automated,” he told supporters, adding that the aim is to manage water movement across the island from a central location, rather than relying on field technicians during the night.
“We are modernising the infrastructure for the APUA water department like it has never happened before.”
The minister reported that an additional 1.2 million gallons of potable water will be made available daily from the Northtown Water Management Group in the coming days, with another 2 million gallons expected from a containerised plant at Barnacle Point currently under development.
He added that the Fries facility is also set to receive a further 360,000 gallons daily as part of a Japanese grant, bringing the total anticipated increase in water output to over 3.5 million gallons per day.
Mr Nicholas said efforts to increase water production from ground sources are also underway. New wells have been drilled and existing ones refurbished in the Bendals Valley, resulting in a boost of 500,000 gallons of groundwater for public supply.
“This government is harvesting water from every available source,” he said.
The MP also noted that the country’s main dam remains at a low level due to ongoing dry conditions, and called on the public to be patient as additional projects come online.
Despite facing longstanding complaints about water shortages, Mr Nicholas said the government has kept its promise to deliver improvements. “I said it was going to happen, and it has happened,” he declared.
The announcement comes amid continued criticism from opposition figures and members of the public over inconsistent water supply, particularly in the eastern communities.
However, Mr Nicholas said the government remains committed to solving the issue and ensuring that all residents eventually see improvements.
“This is what you expect from us, and this is what we intend to continue delivering,” he said.
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I am a hundred percent with modernizing water control mechanism, I have always called on APUA to do such, since I have worked in countries where that is the Norm. But I can’t help but to realize the motive of melford Nicholas is to be able to turn off water more frequently than to provide water, because automated valve don’t provide water it is a mechanism. Don’t tell me that we have so much water that we need automated valve to turning it off from wetting us in our shower? The ALP is just there building on the crisis then come with a solution which is monetized, these valves cost plenty money and are control by scada, so lines has to run to them or battery powered wifi capabilities, the repair work to such valve having a budget and technician for such is not going to happen, so we will exacerbate water issues and not solve the problems in the end. Already they contracted an overnight company from Trinidad who may be a shell company for the ALP politicians to manage water that is not there due to electrical frequency instability that is continuously burning the motors, and the machine to clean the membranes and also purchase new ones, a membrane cleaning machine that is containerized is expensive, the water won’t ever be solved, it would be more pragmatic to turn on the water to the people than these pernicious tricks for self enrichment.
ah likkle drizzle just done…. thanks FATHER.
Every year we hearing about water projects. When will we actually have consistent water?
fix the pipes and water schedule first.
Another promise. I’ll believe it when water runs all day without interruption.
Not even sure what an automated system will solve if the water source still low.
That is what Browne, and his minions have to focus on not criticizing the UPP