Utilities Minister Melford Nicholas outlined a transformative vision for the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA), centered on data-driven performance and structural accountability. Under his directive, every member of the organization—from “cook to captain”—will be evaluated based on measurable outcomes. This new results-oriented framework requires the APUA board to actively engage with management and enforce accountability across all divisions through monthly performance reviews.
Appearing on Saturday’s Browne and Browne show, the minister said this approach marks a significant shift from past practices, where complacency and a lack of transparent performance standards stifled efficiency. The goal, as emphasized by Nicholas, is to drive the organization toward excellence and responsiveness in serving the public.
Delving deeper, the Minister spoke candidly about the internal challenges within APUA. He referenced a longstanding culture of complacency, comparing the organization’s environment to a “cradle-to-grave” job culture reminiscent of earlier decades at Cable & Wireless, where employees rarely left before retirement.
Nicholas emphasized his role as a “disruptive element” determined to drive revolutionary change. He acknowledged that while APUA has provided stability for many families, it must now evolve to meet rising public expectations. To this end, new policy directions are being developed to restructure not only the water division but also APUA’s overall service framework.
The Minister stated that meetings with senior management had already taken place and that a complete overhaul in operational culture is underway. He reiterated that Antigua and Barbuda cannot afford to remain stagnant in the face of rapid regional and global shifts.
