Barbuda’s lands are NOT for sale, and whatever it takes to safeguard them will be done, Councilman declares

“Barbuda’s lands are NOT for sale” is what the people of Barbuda have said –
and continue to say – in response to the Browne Administration’s move to
commence land registration on the sister-island.

In fact, the people’s leaders have said they are ready to do whatever it takes to
stop the Administration from stealing their lands – which were obtained by

blood, sweat, and tears – and giving them back to foreign interests who
represent their former colonial masters.
Days ago, the Barbuda Council received a letter, dated April 15, from
Solicitor-General Martin Camacho, who informed the local government that a
land-adjudication exercise should begin about May 15.

However, an April 17 press release from the Council says that Camacho
appears to be attempting to circumvent the Constitution of Antigua and
Barbuda.

The Council is responsible for managing internal affairs on Barbuda on behalf
of the people. Accordingly, it says it represents Barbudans, who are the
owners of the lands of the sister-island.

Therefore, the Council declares, the ongoing plans of the Browne
administration – using the Land Adjudication Act and other laws that do not
supersede the Local Government Act – to unilaterally register and sell the
people’s land will not be accepted or allowed. 

According to the Barbuda Local Government Act (1976), as amended and
entrenched in the Constitution, the Barbuda Council is empowered with the
responsibility to administer the island of Barbuda. 

But Councilman John Mussington says that, as usual, the Browne Government
shrouds everything in secrecy. Accordingly, he says, it is using a statutory
instrument to advance its agenda, instead of going to the highest decision-
making body in the country, the Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda.

Mussington says that this Administration’s move for a land grab on Barbuda
dates back to 2017, when a number of amendments – including to
the Barbuda Land Act – were made without consulting the people of the sister-
island.

In 2018, that Act was repealed, Mussington notes, followed by amendments to
the Land Registration Act and then by an Adjudication Act.

What will happen during the adjudication process, Mussington explains, is
that some claims to land may not be honoured, and those lands that are not
claimed by anyone automatically will become the property of the Crown.

While Mussington would not say outright whether this proposed exercise will
be challenged in the courts, he notes that whatever it takes to maintain the
patrimony of the people of Barbuda will be done.

Councilman John Mussington.