Antigua’s top public utilities regulator has formally confirmed the discovery of a fuel leak at a decommissioned storage tank on the site of the former Friars Hill Facility, triggering a coordinated cross-agency response to contain the hazard and protect local communities.
The Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) moved swiftly to activate internal emergency protocols as soon as the leak was detected, before reaching out to a broad network of relevant government and industry stakeholders to carry out an initial site assessment and map out an effective remediation strategy. Among the first agencies brought into the response were the National Office of Disaster Services (NODS), the Antigua and Barbuda Police Force, the Central Board of Health, and the Development Control Authority (DCA).
Hon. Melford Nicholas, the cabinet minister with oversight for APUA and the elected representative for St. John’s City East, stressed that rapid, decisive action is non-negotiable in addressing the incident. “We are unwavering in our commitment to protecting the safety of all local residents as we work to resolve this leak,” Nicholas stated. “Our number one priority right now is to minimize any potential harm to the local environment and keep our community safe.”
To date, APUA has entered into active consultation with a wide range of additional partners to align response efforts, including the National Solid Waste Management Authority, the West Indies Oil Company (WIOC), the Department of Public Health, the Ministry of Environment, the Antigua & Barbuda Fire Department, and the Public Works Department. Nicholas reiterated that cross-stakeholder collaboration is the foundation of an effective resolution, noting that officials would pursue every possible avenue to address the leak thoroughly.
Currently, formal investigations into the source, scope and severity of the leak are still underway, with preliminary environmental and safety assessments ongoing. APUA has pledged to deliver transparent, up-to-date updates to the public as new details emerge, and urged all community members to prioritize safe, environmentally conscious behavior in the area around the facility while remediation work proceeds. The authority will maintain continuous monitoring of the site and share further information as it becomes available, and expressed gratitude for the public’s patience and understanding through the response and investigation process.