Prime Minister Gaston Browne has voiced much frustration with the ongoing water
issues gripping the country, especially after the government has invested over one
hundred million dollars over the last several years to bring some resolution to the
chronic problems.
Speaking on the weekly Browne and Browne Show on Point FM on Saturday, PM
Browne said the government is still grappling with the water problem, although he
anticipates that there will be improvements during next year. An additional reverse
osmosis plant is expected to go into service in the second half of 2024, producing
some 3 million gallons of water daily. He added that the re-piping exercise is also
underway to stop the 20 percent water loss system-wide due to leaks from aging
pipes.
PM Browne also disclosed that the government has decided to privatize a portion
of the water product and that APUA has been asked to consider two options to
determine which best suits their needs. One is from the local company, Caribbean
Water Treatment, and the other is a Trinidad and Tobago concern.
However, according to the prime minister, despite the millions spent to improve
water production and distribution, there are rising complaints about the lack of
water from consumers all across Antigua.
“All I can do at this point is to ask for the continued patience of the consumer, as I
believe that the management at APUA can do far more in this situation. We have
exhausted that discussion to the extent that I don’t know what else to say to them.
All I can do is ask them to try harder and to do their best,” he said voicing his
exasperation.
The prime minister was especially frustrated with the performance of the Water
Division at APUA adding that he cannot understand why with more than seven
million gallons being produced daily and with a daily demand of around nine
million, some people have been without water for weeks at a time.
“At one point we were trying to figure out if they were weaponizing water, as on
the By-election Day, Bolans was without water, while Jennings had water. Both
are served from the plant at Ffryes Bay. This means that they by-passed Bolans to
reach Jennings. I had to call Mr. (Esworth) Martin (General Manager) who
reported that he had already asked them to re-direct the water,” he revealed.
Another issue that has led to frustration, according to the prime minister, is a report
that indicated that at least one plant has been offline because of the absence of
spare parts. “I don’t know how many times we asked them to keep adequate
service parts in place to avoid going long stretches waiting for parts. I am not even
arguing anymore; the joke is no longer sweet,” he declared.
He reported that the Water Management team has repeatedly offered excuse after
excuse, yet the problems persist. PM Browne described the water issue as the most
critical issue facing his government, as it is the one issue it has not been able to
resolve to the satisfaction of the consumer.
He said the water department must ‘step up’ and stop making excuses.
