​The United Progressive Party (UPP) is urging Prime Minister Gaston Browne to engage in consultation with stakeholders before making unilateral decisions to outsource certain water services, currently provided by the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA), to a private company.

The Party is concerned that this decision will not only impact water rates but may also limit access to potable water, which is considered a human right by the United Nations.

The UPP has also learned of plans for a BOOT operation that would turn APUA’s water into a secondary or back-up source, forcing consumers to patronize another private business as the primary provider.

The Party is disappointed that the Browne Administration has not attempted to hold any meaningful dialogue with Opposition MPs, who represent thousands of residents and business owners.

The UPP believes that the generation and distribution of water are too important to be excluded from the discussion table, especially when it is inevitable that consumers will have to pay more for the service.

The Party is encouraging all residents and business owners to demand that Prime Minister Browne engage in consultation immediately and not delete the “public” from APUA.