ST JOHN’S, Antigua – The Ministry of Sports has warned it will take a hard-line approach to groups that fail to attend a meeting tomorrow to address the use of electricity at recreational facilities across the island.
Minister responsible for Sports Winston Williams said in a media release that those who do not attend the meeting at the Lower Ottos Community Centre, starting at 7 pm, run the risk of having the utility services disconnected at the facilities they use.
The meeting would specifically focus on the management of lights at public sports complexes across the island, a majority of which were disconnected about a week and a half ago by the state-owned Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA).
“Discussions will centre on the formulation of a plan to manage the use of utility services, the monitoring of such use and action which is to be taken should breaches be observed,” the ministry release stated.
“It is important to note that attendance at the meeting is a requirement for those sports clubs and associations wishing to be considered for utility services under the new arrangement with APUA,” it added.
The meeting would also involve sports clubs, associations and sports facilities management groups.
The unannounced action by APUA has been widely condemned by many, including Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer who has responsibility for the entity.
He described the action as “unacceptable and insensitive.”
According to a Memorandum of Understanding between the ministry and APUA, sporting clubs and groups across Antigua must now ensure that lights at facilities that fall under their care are switched off by 10 pm nightly.
Some affected have criticised the decision, and called for further discussions.
