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Kisean Joseph
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Frustrated citizens picketed outside the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) head office on Wednesday, protesting rising electricity and water bills and frequent service disruptions.
The demonstration, led by activist Franz De Freitas, began at 11 a.m. Organisers said it marked the start of a wider campaign on issues affecting residents.
While protesters carried placards calling on the utility company to act, De Freitas broadcast the picket live on social media.
“No water in our pipes on a regular basis, regular electricity disruptions and the alarming increase that we see,” De Freitas said.
“Many citizens can’t even understand the bills that they get from APUA. All they know is that it is increasing more and more and more.”
He said the aim of the picket was to make APUA recognise that the current charges are unacceptable.
De Freitas also accused the government of failing to ease the burden on consumers. He claimed there was no plan by either the government or the utility company to address the cost of fuel and electricity.
“No government intervention to say that this is too much and we’re going to subsidise,” he said. “As a matter of fact, we see the government taxing us more, charging us more on fuel therefore electricity and water in Antigua and Barbuda.”
Despite the modest turnout, De Freitas said the demonstration was not about large numbers but about citizens standing up and declaring that “enough is enough”.
He said that while the group did not expect an immediate response from APUA, their aim was to circulate the issues and show that residents were prepared to speak out.
The protest organiser said the action would continue and would extend beyond utilities.
“This protest action is going to go on, and not only now, but it is going to go on in the future,” De Freitas said.
He said future demonstrations would address roads, healthcare, education, agriculture and farming.
“Today is APUA. Tomorrow it will be somebody else,” he added.