Further ‘house-cleaning’ appears underway, as Water Manager Lewis reportedly is summoned to APUA Board meeting

The Gaston Browne Administration appears to be “cleaning house,”
targeting those managers and heads of department who are
considered threats to his government’s continued rule.

Reliable sources are telling REAL News that another senior manager
at the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) appears to be in the
Administration’s sights.
 
They claim that the APUA Board, headed by its former minister, Sir
Robin Yearwood, convened an extraordinary meeting on Tuesday,
November 14. Allegedly, Ian Lewis, the Water Business Unit
manager, was summoned to appear before the body.
 
It is further alleged that one of the agenda items was Lewis’ sacking,
since the Cabinet is of the opinion that he has failed to perform in
the regular delivery of water across the country.
 
Last weekend, in a radio appearance, the prime minister had
threatened Lewis, telling him to do something immediately to fix the
persistent water crisis or be fired.
 
Browne, who, in 2014, had promised to resolve the water problems,
said it is unacceptable that persons are not getting water for days on
end. He added that his administration is tired of giving the people
excuses.  

Accordingly, APUA General Manager Esworth Martin was forced into
a “pre-retirement leave” last week, despite having at least six weeks
remaining on his contract.
 
Meanwhile, two managers at State Insurance Corporation were fired
this week: the accountant, Andre Knight, and Life Manager Janice
Hodge.

A source says there seems to be a 100-metre dash by PM Browne to
fire everybody to cover his incompetence.