Antigua and Barbuda PM Gaston Browne signs MoU with Malta PM Robert Abela to increase water supply

Antigua and Barbuda: The government continues to make efforts to improve the water supply to consumers. Prime Minister Gaston Browne last week met with Robert Abela, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Malta and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen technical cooperation between Antigua and Barbuda and Malta.

The signed MoU will aim to establish a capacity-building programme for technical and strategy personnel at the Antigua and Barbuda Public Utilities Authority (APUA). Pilot Leakage Management Project will be initiated under this programme, resulting in the developing of a holistic and comprehensive leakage Identification, Management and Control strategy. This training will be provided by the officials sent by the government of Malta, according to the MoU signed between the leaders of the two countries.

Earlier, when the official MoU wasn’t signed, both countries shared best practices for Water Management Strategies candidly. These practices included recycling, production as well as conservation of water and its resources. “If left unattended, the repercussion would be too great. It would mean a plummet in food production and an uptick in food prices exacerbated by global crises such as climate change, pandemics, and the Russia-Ukraine war”, said PM Browne.

PM Gaston Browne was accompanied by EP Chet Greene – Minister for Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Trade, Ambassador Aubrey Webson – Permanent Representative of Antigua and Barbuda to the UN, Ambassador Conrod Hunte – Deputy Permanent Representative and Tumasie Blair – Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Antigua and Barbuda to the United Nations in New York.

Robert Abela was accompanied by Chris Fearne – Deputy Prime Minister of Malta and Minister for Health – Vanessa Frazier, Ambassador – Permanent Representative of Malta to United Nations; Dr Michael Farrugia – Member of Parliament; Glenn Micallef – Chief of Staff of Prime Minister of Malta; and Francesca Cassar – First Secretary – Economic and Development Coordinator, Permanent Mission of Malta to United Nations.