Esworth Martin, the General Manager of Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA), is leaving his post earlier than planned.

Cabinet has asked Martin to take pre-retirement leave and to proceed immediately, according to Cabinet spokesman Ambassador Lionel Hurst.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne had previously announced that Martin would retire at the end of the year, but the Cabinet decided to instruct him to leave immediately on pre-retirement leave.

Martin has been asked to make himself available should the need arise.

The Cabinet has decided that the same high standards to which elected members are held should apply to APUA managers.

Hurst explained that the Cabinet secretary wrote to Martin instructing him to take pre-retirement leave immediately.

Hurst declared that the PM and the Cabinet will not relent on this matter.

Frustration is growing among consumers who have been without water for up to two weeks in some cases.

PM Browne has publicly expressed his frustration with APUA, especially given that the government has spent more than US$100 million on acquiring reverse osmosis plants to improve water availability.

An executive search is underway to find Martin’s replacement.