In a decisive response to acts of infrastructure sabotage, Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne has declared a $50,000 reward for information resulting in the arrest and conviction of perpetrators responsible for deliberately setting fire to critical fiber-optic materials in Old Road. The announcement came immediately following confirmation of the vandalism targeting the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) installation site at Morris Bay.
Prime Minister Browne, speaking via national radio broadcast Pointe FM, emphasized the government’s zero-tolerance stance toward disorder, stating: ‘We’re taking the fight to these people. We cannot allow these people to become lawless and to destroy our country.’ The substantial reward extends to anyone providing credible intelligence leading to successful prosecution, with provisions established for anonymous tip submissions to either Cabinet ministers or law enforcement authorities.
The incident represents a significant escalation in local tensions surrounding preparatory works for a vital subsea cable project. According to APUA’s detailed account, the destruction occurred on December 12, 2025, following days of escalating community tensions unrelated to the utility’s operations. Preliminary assessments indicate several thousand dollars in damages to conduits and project materials essential for the national infrastructure initiative.
APUA officials confirmed the vandalism was deliberate, occurring despite previous community engagement efforts including an October town hall meeting that reportedly generated largely supportive feedback. The authority emphasized the project’s critical importance for enhancing the nation’s digital resilience, ecommerce capabilities, educational infrastructure, and overall economic development with full operational launch anticipated by 2027.
While police investigations continue, both government and utility authorities have appealed for public cooperation and calm, underscoring that all citizens stand to benefit from the completed project. The administration has reiterated its commitment to upholding legal order and preventing further acts of destruction against national infrastructure assets.