MP Trevor Walker is warning against a plan involving APUA and road repairs.
He says the proposal could weaken the Ministry of Public Works.

Walker, a former Works Minister and Barbuda MP, raised concerns this week.
Specifically, he questioned APUA’s plan to create its own road repair crew.

The warning followed comments by Utilities Minister Melford Nicholas.
Nicholas said APUA will form an internal public works-style team.
The goal is to stop newly repaired roads from being cut again.

However, Walker says the solution risks duplication.
More importantly, he fears it could erode Public Works’ authority.

Speaking on Observer Radio’s Big Issues, Walker acknowledged a real problem.
For years, road repairs have followed utility cuts too slowly.
As a result, public frustration has grown.

Still, Walker rejected building a parallel unit inside APUA.
“To suggest APUA has its own Public Works unit is not the best solution,” he said.

He stressed that Public Works already holds national expertise.
That includes trained engineers and technical oversight.

Moreover, Walker questioned who would control standards.
He asked who would supervise and approve repairs.

“I am not clear what is meant by their own repair team,” he said.
He questioned whether Public Works would still oversee the work.

If APUA controls the unit fully, Walker warned of consequences.
He said it would strip Public Works of a core responsibility.

“I would not support removing Works’ responsibilities to the state,” he said.

Instead, Walker proposed a different approach.
He called for a dedicated road repair team within Public Works.
That team, he said, would respond directly to APUA cuts.

Importantly, it would remain under Works’ technical control.
It would also coordinate closely with APUA crews.

Meanwhile, Minister Nicholas says the plan aims to fix a long-running cycle.
Roads get rebuilt, then reopened for emergency pipe repairs.
This pattern has persisted across administrations.

Nicholas argues an APUA crew would better align pipe upgrades.
He says it would reduce damage after resurfacing.
However, the plan requires new equipment and staff.

Public anger continues to mount.
Motorists complain about uneven patches and delays.

Walker said delays often follow pipe repairs.
He called that unacceptable.

He blamed limited resources and no rapid-response teams.
Accordingly, he urged proper staffing and materials.

Ultimately, Walker said road restoration demands accountability.
Roads are expensive, he noted, and poor repairs waste public funds.

Although APUA aims to launch the crew by mid-2026, details remain unclear.
For now, questions about control, cost, and oversight remain unanswered.

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