By Elesha George
The Barbuda Council and the Central Government are at odds once again over land development, this time concerning a proposed project at Katel Hill. The Council has accused the Government of circumventing its authority and violating the rights of Barbudans by clearing lands allocated to residents without prior consultation.
Officials from the Council have cited Section 3, Subsection 3 of the Barbuda Local Government Act, which places the island under their jurisdiction, as the legal basis for their opposition. They claim the land-clearing effort constitutes a constitutional violation and have criticized it as another instance of unilateral decision-making by the Central Government.
“By clearing lands in the Katel Hill area, the Government again attempts to disenfranchise Barbudans of their fundamental rights to property,” the Council said in a statement. “The lands being cleared have already been allocated to Barbudans. Therefore, the Barbuda Council is duty bound to resist this unlawful and inhumane act. We call on the Government to respect the people and the Constitution that governs our twin island State.”
The conflict escalated on January 14 when the Council issued a cease-and-desist order to Supervisor of Development for the Barbuda Ocean Club, Abishur Thomas. The order accused Thomas of trespassing and carrying out land-clearing activities without a permit. Two government-owned trucks were also reportedly used to block an excavator at the site, prompting Cabinet spokesperson Lionel Hurst to condemn the action as “unlawful” and “unhelpful.”
“We pray that the Barbuda Council does not engage in any kind of behaviour like that in the future. It is not helpful,” Hurst said.
The Government, however, has defended the project as essential to addressing housing shortages and improving infrastructure on the island. The development reportedly includes plans to build over 200 homes, a shopping mall, and other facilities. According to the Government, these initiatives are part of a broader strategy to modernize Barbuda’s infrastructure and meet the growing needs of its residents.
A 2022 ruling by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, which affirmed that disputed lands in the Paradise Found case belong to the Crown, has bolstered the Government’s position. Following the ruling, the Government enacted a July 2023 amendment to the Registered Land Act, which allows land outside Codrington to be registered and sold. The amendment also permits non-Barbudans, including Antiguans and foreign investors, to purchase land in Barbuda — a departure from the island’s tradition of communal land ownership reserved exclusively for Barbudans.
The Barbuda Council, however, views these legislative changes as an affront to the island’s historical and legal framework. They argue that the current land-clearing activities at Katel Hill undermine their authority and disregard the unique communal land system that has long defined Barbuda.
Despite the ongoing tensions, the Government has expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue with the Council.
the proposed homes are not for Barbudans. they r for billionaires who come in on private jets.
if land in barbuda becomes freehold, it’s price would skyrocket. millionaires pay millions for a beach property.in 1generation,Barbudans would change from being able to get a home from self generated income, to being forced to work as security guards, gardeners and cooks.keep on resisting, barbudans