The Government of Antigua and Barbuda is preparing to launch a formal investigation into allegations that several major supermarkets have been illegally bypassing their electricity meters to reduce or avoid paying for power.
The revelation came from Minister of Public Utilities Melford Nicholas, who recently informed Cabinet that his ministry had received credible reports suggesting that some large commercial establishments are using unauthorized bypass systems connected to the national electricity grid.
According to Minister Nicholas, the allegations—if confirmed—represent a serious act of fraud against the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) and by extension, the people of Antigua and Barbuda.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne said the government will take legal action against these supermarkets.
“If they get caught twice, police will have to be called in”, PM Browne said.
They to thief, everything is bobul, lawd
Even when they get concessions from the government, they still steal electricity. So they want to come to our country, open their big supermarket, and pay nothing? The government is too lenient with these outside investors. Yes, we want the investment, but not when we lose too much to these thieves. The PM needs to investigate these hotels, too. It is not friends and company with these people, it is about the country first. Mr PM, you and your ministers were hired to take care of the country’s affairs for the people. If you can’t do the job, please return it to us, and we will find someone who can do it!!
Why wait until it happens twice to call police ? Shouldn’t they be held accountable on the first instance?
Bet if it was a case of an ordinary citizen who was caught doing it the first time they would be held accountable.
Why not prosecute for the first offense?
Wow… imagine making millions in profit and still can’t pay APUA. Greed has no limit.
Every time we hear “investigation,” it does end up in silence. Hope this one don’t disappear after a few headlines.
“If they get caught twice, police will have to be called in”, PM Browne said.
This is how the Freemasons in Antigua operate above and beyond the laws that bind you and me. Since when is Gaston Browne the DPP? If there is an allegation that a crime was committed the procedure is for the police to conduct an unbiased investigation and send their findings to the DPP. He/she will decide who will or will not be prosecuted. Who the heck does Browne think he is to be bypassing the police and the DPP. We urgently need the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office to send a delegation to Antigua to investigate all these unconstitutional shenanigans. There is no rule of law here. Just an old boys club acting like mafia.
It’s important to follow the facts, but if supermarkets are stealing, consequences must follow.
Gaston call the police commissioner, let him do his job so if citizen bypass we are ok on the first offense ok we all going to do it, reason you should not let Chinese put in light poles believe me they will tell them what to do, don’t take their computers and phones as gifts they knows everything we are doing, where they get money lending the world making money until they ran out A paper. Give this one to police you didn’t even know 15 million missing from your Dept. Lmao, SMDH
Imagine poor families struggling to top up $50 every week and these supermarkets running entire buildings on stolen current. Jail them straight!
Never a dull moment in ANU.
Don’t worry (insert supermarket owner here), Neo Hitler has given you an out. You will only be at risk if you get caught TWICE Tief King openly providing cover for the local oligarchs.
If is true, them supermarket owners need some jail time same way like the poor man who get charge for one illegal connection!
That’s a bunch of BS Sir Nicholas! Is that the way to differ from the Badass Badoo, car crisis? Nice try. If the so-called supermarkets were caught committing that crime, should APUA report it to the police or lock them down? Wheel and come again!
If they get caught twice? I hope the same grace will be extended to the little man who really cannot afford to pay his bill. Some of them business men too wicked
So that’s how them keeping the lights so bright and the freezers cold! APUA better start checking every plug and panel quick! 😂
If this is true they would’ve found this out long time ago for how long these supermarkets been operating so yeah this is just a distraction. If it is true deal with them accordingly but don’t take break out of the workers mouth.
Bread*
Everybody looking at this distraction and saying not to wait until the second offense…well and good. BUT! What about the end result? Y’all realize what will happen when the supermarkets start paying an increased amount in their electricity bills? The poor man will be punished with increased prices…the poor man will have to pay the supermarkets’ electricity bills. While pondering that, get the contact number for Price Control ready and keep it handy.
@The poor man-
That is an excellent observation and recommendation because Good knows we can’t afford to pay no more for food in this likkle place.
All of this is indeed a distraction from the car situation in my humble opinion. If a Minister gets the praise for a ministry initiative that does well despite having no knowledge or giving no contribution to the project they still get the praise. So why is it that when a smoking gun is found that Minister isn’t liable. With great positions there is not just privilege but also responsibility and accountability.
In the same way we’re going after the supermarkets ,let’s deal with the hotels who owes APUA and the government millions and just change ownership and it’s then swept under the carpet!
APUA need to publish the names once confirmed. The public deserve transparency no hush-hush backdoor settlements.
Is the Arabs and them who are brazen likadat. Only them. Because they run this country
Say the Minister who owes APUA thousands for water and light for years. Just another, “red herring, ” to distract from Vehicle Gate.
An independent investigation plus the prompt resignation of Gaston Brown and Maria Brown.
Maybe, just maybe it’s an idea to stop all duty, abst etc on all solar and wind electricity generating equipment. Change out all wired streetlights and replace them with solar ones (with anti spanny theft locks) so as a nation that has a good 12 hrs of sunlight and plenty breeze we can be the closest to energy independent as possible. Then legalize cannabis and start a next major industry besides tourism. Tax tourists a couple points more on their arrival and watch revenue double. Antigua is paradise.