Privatizing water production would drive up consumer bills and likely mean lay-off for some workers, Tabor says

Privatizing the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) Water
Business Unit would not augur well for the consumer base or the
workers of the company, says Damani Tabor, the public relations
officer of the United Progressive Party (UPP).
 
Reports say the Gaston Browne Administration is contemplating
privatizing water production at the currently government-operated
entity.

The idea follows the Administration’s admission that it is having
challenges with supplying households and businesses with a
reliable, daily supply of pipe-borne water.
 
However, if water production is privatized, Tabor says, it could
result in consumers paying far more for the commodity than is
currently being charged.

He notes that the people are already burdened with high food
prices; and to add costly water to the equation would border upon
wickedness.
 
Further, with any privatization, displacement of some workers is
likely, Tabor warns. And he is wondering how many of the Water
Business Unit workers would be placed on the breadline if this were
to become a reality.
 
According to Tabor, the UPP is against any decision that would see
workers being laid-off in an already struggling, jobless economy.