Minister Nicholas Vows 100% Water Coverage by Year-End

Minister Nicholas Vows 100% Water Coverage by Year-End

Minister of Public Utilities Melford Nicholas has set an ambitious target to deliver consistent, island-wide water access to all residents by the end of 2025, declaring that Antigua and Barbuda must move beyond intermittent supply and drought-driven rationing.

Speaking at the commissioning of the new Ffryers Beach reverse osmosis plant on World Water Day, Nicholas acknowledged the country’s historical water challenges but said the government is determined to make 24/7 access a reality.

“Today is not a touchdown—it’s a milestone,” he told the audience. “By the end of this year, I anticipate that 100% of the population of Antigua and Barbuda will have a regular supply of water on demand.”

The new one-million-imperial-gallon-per-day plant, built in partnership with the U.S.-based Seven Seas Water Group, marks the beginning of a multi-faceted strategy to overhaul the country’s water infrastructure.

The second plant at Barnacle Point is expected to add another two million gallons daily once commissioned later this year.

Minister Nicholas detailed a roadmap that includes:

Upgrading aging pipelines with assistance from a US$60 million Chinese grant.

Restoring deteriorated reservoirs across the island, including at Buckley’s and Crabb’s.

Automating the water distribution system in the south to reduce manual valve switching and improve reliability.

Expanding storage capacity, with plans to reach 10 million gallons in reserve by year-end.

Nicholas also praised the efforts of local engineers, APUA staff, and international partners who delivered the Ffryers Beach plant ahead of schedule and under budget. He cited this partnership model as critical to achieving his ministry’s water goals.

Despite logistical and financial hurdles, the Minister said political will and inter-agency cooperation have laid the foundation for progress. “Hope springs eternal,” he said. “If the Lord gives you a commission, He will also give you the enablement.”

Currently, the new Ffryers Beach plant is supplying communities in the south with 24-hour water, and the government is aiming to replicate that success in the north and central regions in the coming months.

“Water must no longer be a political issue in Antigua and Barbuda,” Nicholas asserted. “And I’ve assured the Prime Minister that by the end of 2025, it won’t be.”

Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]