Symister criticizes Bradshaw’s appointment as APUA’s GM, noting that, as a Board member, he failed to fix water problem

A member of the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) Board of
Directors has been appointed to head the statutory corporation in a
move that Leon Chaku Symister describes as “nonsensical.”
 
As predicted by Symister weeks ago, on Friday, December 1, the
Board of Commissioners announced that John Bradshaw will serve
as acting general manager for the month of December, and then
transition to the position permanently on January 1, 2024.
 
He replaces Esworth Martin, who held the position for decades, and
who recently was sent on pre-retirement leave by the Gaston
Browne Cabinet. 

The Executive felt that Martin had failed to provide the leadership
necessary for APUA to deliver pipe-borne water on a daily basis. 
  
According to the Board, Bradshaw – a former employee – has an
intimate knowledge of the utilities company, where he was
previously employed as a senior manager in the Water Business
Unit.  He also served as a commissioner from April 2023. 

The Executive has expressed the hope that, with Bradshaw’s
reported wealth of experience and strong leadership background, he
will bring a fresh perspective to the organization.

However, Symister sees the Board’s rationale as a contradiction. He
points out that Bradshaw had been a member of the Board that is
responsible for directing the management of APUA – and the same
Board had been unable to solve the water problem.

Hence, since the Board of Commissioners failed to remedy the
situation, its members should all be sent home just like Martin,
Symister reasons.
 
If Bradshaw could not fix the water problem as a member of the
Board, then how will he fix it now, asks Symister, a former APUA
Board chairman, himself. Therefore, in his opinion, the appointment
of Bradshaw is destined to fail.
 
The Board, meanwhile, has extended appreciation to Roger Tonge
for his commitment and his willingness to serve as interim general
manager during the transition period.
But Symister believes that Tonge was denied the opportunity to fill
the post permanently because he does not bow to political pressure.