A long-serving employee of the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) has written an open letter calling on Prime Minister Gaston Browne to take a closer look at the state of the organisation, raising serious concerns about its financial health and the leadership of its current CEO, John Bradshaw. According to Antigua News Room, the letter was submitted by an anonymous employee who claims to have worked at APUA for over 25 years.
The writer alleges that APUA's financial situation is as dire as it has been in previous years, with creditors reportedly going unpaid and the organisation struggling to meet basic operational obligations, including fuel and power costs. The employee warns that what is being reported upward to the Prime Minister and Cabinet does not reflect the full reality on the ground.
Central to the letter is sharp criticism of CEO John Bradshaw's management style, described as ego-driven and lacking in consultation. The writer alleges that decisions are made without meaningful engagement with staff, and that many workers remain silent out of fear of victimisation. Excessive micromanagement is also cited as a significant operational problem, with the letter claiming that senior managers — including the current Water Manager — have been left with little real authority to carry out their roles effectively.
"Even supervisors are often blindsided, with little communication or involvement in decisions that affect their staff," the employee writes.
The letter draws on Bradshaw's previous tenure within APUA's Water Business Unit, characterising that period as a failure and arguing that concerns about his performance are rooted in competence, not politics. The writer also raises questions about the appointment process itself, suggesting the role was awarded based on personal connections rather than merit — a claim that, if accurate, would raise significant governance concerns for the country's sole public utility.
Despite the criticism directed at leadership, the letter is careful to defend the broader APUA workforce. The employee insists that many staff members are hardworking and deeply committed to the organisation's success, pushing back against any perception that internal dissatisfaction amounts to sabotage.
The letter also notes that frustration has spread even among loyal supporters of the ruling Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party within APUA, with some reportedly indicating they would withhold electoral support over the matter.
The author closes with a direct appeal to the Prime Minister, urging him to look beyond the polished presentations and examine conditions within the organisation more thoroughly. APUA, the letter argues, requires not a civil engineer, but a transformational leader capable of guiding the authority into what the writer calls "a true renaissance."
Bradshaw and APUA have not yet issued a public response to the allegations contained in the letter.
