Cuban engineers previously sent home following pressure from the United States have returned to work in Antigua and Barbuda under individual contracts, Utilities Minister Melford Nicholas says.

Speaking on Taking Stock on Pointe FM on Nov. 10, Nicholas said the engineers are helping improve water distribution and repair the southern spillway at Potworks Dam.

“Our Cuban friends, the Cuban engineers, who I had to rehire after we had to send them back home … the pressure that we got from the United States,” Nicholas said. “We did offer them individual contracts, and so they are here on individual contracts.”

Nicholas did not explain the nature of the U.S. pressure or disclose how many engineers had been rehired, when they returned or the value and duration of their contracts.

He said their work includes addressing water pressure and other technical problems within the distribution system.

“They’re helping us and they’re using science to be able to do that,” he said.

The engineers are also assisting with repairs to the southern spillway at Potworks Dam, which Nicholas said had been broken for more than 35 years.

Nicholas stressed the importance of transferring their expertise to local workers so that the country retains the knowledge when the engineers eventually retire or leave.

He said he would welcome them staying for the long term, bringing their families and pursuing citizenship, provided they comply with the country’s laws.

“As far as I’m concerned, they can stay as long as they want to,” he said.

Nicholas did not announce any formal citizenship arrangement for the engineers.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Cuban engineers rehired on individual contracts after U.S. pressure, Antigua and Barbuda minister says.