VIDEO: PM Browne Says He Will Hold Minister and APUA Management Accountable for Effective Water Distribution
Prime Minister Gaston Browne says the government will hold both the responsible minister and the management of the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) accountable to ensure that water is effectively distributed to communities across the country.
Speaking on the Browne and Browne Show on Pointe FM on Saturday, Browne said while the government has invested heavily to increase water production, failures in distribution — particularly prolonged outages caused by broken pipes — are unacceptable.
He said Antigua and Barbuda is now producing enough water to meet domestic demand, but aging infrastructure and operational lapses continue to disrupt supply. Browne noted that broken pipes remain a challenge due to the island’s decades-old distribution network, but stressed that communities should not be left without water for extended periods.
“Even if there are interruptions, which are likely, they ought to be temporary,” Browne said, adding that “any protracted interruption in any community should be frowned upon.”
The prime minister said the public should hold officials accountable when disruptions occur, including calling into radio programmes to raise concerns. He said this accountability extends to the minister with responsibility for APUA, as well as senior management within the utility.
Browne also criticised poor coordination following pipe repairs, saying roads are often left damaged after water lines are fixed. He said this must be addressed either through closer collaboration with Public Works or by APUA establishing its own internal road repair crews to immediately restore affected areas.
He said Cabinet will now demand more detailed reporting from the minister on water distribution issues and warned that a hands-off approach will no longer be tolerated. Browne said management must ensure staff perform efficiently and that underperformance is dealt with decisively.
The prime minister said the government has already made significant investments to expand water production and expects improved service delivery to follow. He said while interruptions may occur, APUA’s leadership must ensure they are resolved quickly to avoid unnecessary hardship for residents.
Browne said ensuring reliable water distribution remains a priority for his administration as it works to improve public services and meet the expectations of the population.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
