The Barbuda Council and the People of Barbuda, in defiance of the Central Government, say they will continue to manage the lands and resources of the sister-island in common ownership.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has insisted that there is no such system on Barbuda, and that Antiguans will soon be able to purchase lands on that island on a freehold basis.
Now, a Government spokesperson has announced that the Administration will be adapting a “more muscular approach” to the situation.
Firing back, the Council is calling this a desperate escalation of efforts “to use coercion and other means to force change in the common ownership and management of the lands and resources of Barbuda.”
But Council Secretary Paul Nedd says the body will not relinquish its power to deal with issues related to Barbuda’s lands, despite threats by the Administration.
Nedd says the Government does not respect the people of Barbuda and uses every opportunity to speak down to them.
However, the Council has no intention of engaging the Administration on its “muscular approach.” Instead, it will defend the rights that Barbudans have enjoyed for centuries.
The Council says that common land ownership is prescribed in the Barbuda Local Government Act (1976) and the Barbuda Land Act (2007).
Accordingly, Nedd says, the local government will not allow the culture, heritage and survival of future generations to be stolen by the callous greed of the Gaston Browne Administration and its wealthy associates.
