The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda is demanding that the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) to make immediate and visible progress on the installation of streetlights across the country after the electricity business unit gave assurances it would move with urgency to address areas in need of new or replacement lighting.

The government approved a comprehensive street and community lighting improvement programme following a Cabinet briefing by the Electricity Manager of the APUA, Andre Matthias.

Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin reportedly told APUA officials at Wednesday’s cabinet meeting, according to Director General for Communications in the Prime Minister’s Office, Maurice Merchant, that cabinet made clear it would not accept words alone from APUA.

“[Sir Steadroy] Benjamin was direct and forceful in telling APUA, listen, you have the resources at your fingertips. Let us see them in the public. Let us see these dark areas around the country because persons have been complaining. Let us see them being erected. Let us see the country being lit,” Merchant said.

Damaged streetlights across Antigua and Barbuda (file photo)

Ambassador Dianne Black-Layne confirmed that hundreds of streetlights are available and ready for installation, removing any question of capacity or supply as a barrier to progress.

Minister of Public Utilities, Melford Nicholas also committed to remaining on top of the matter until the directive is fulfilled.

“APUA has been encouraged to move with some speed in getting this directive of the cabinet completed,” Merchant said. “It is the period in our nation’s development whereby the public expects some movement from public officials.”

Beyond the pace of installation, cabinet also addressed the persistent problem of vandalism targeting the lighting infrastructure.

Merchant said newly designed lampposts place battery packs and other materials that have historically attracted thieves higher on the poles, reducing accessibility.

APUA also intends to install surveillance cameras on select lampposts, with a focus on longer stretches of road where extended lighting runs are planned.

Law enforcement has been brought into the effort with increasing patrols across Antigua and Barbuda in recent weeks and have been specifically notified to monitor lamppost installations once APUA completes its work in each area.

Existing groundwork already laid, including foundation bases along Friars Hill Road, will be incorporated into the current rollout where applicable with some newer installations using alternative mounting methods.