By Elesha George
The Barbuda Council has dismissed claims that it is politicising road repairs, following criticism from government Senator Knacyntar Nedd-Charles over the Council’s decision to repair River Road.
During the Budget debate on Tuesday, Senator Nedd-Charles questioned the Council’s priorities, and labelled its decision to work on River Road “wasteful and unnecessary”.
She explained that the Central Government had already developed a fully-funded improvement plan for the same road, which includes concrete work and a detailed assessment.
“I can recall leading a delegation over to Barbuda with DCA [Development Control Authority], Ministry of Works, [and] my two colleague senators. We put down some extensive work mapping out the areas for the main road that we call the River Road,” Senator Nedd-Charles said.
She further questioned the Council’s priorities, adding: “Wouldn’t it make sense if those monies … were used by the Council to look at other road networks?”
In response, Council Chairman Devon Warner criticised the lack of communication between the Central Government and the Barbuda Council.
“Why wasn’t the party responsible for the development and maintenance of roads part of the delegation?” he asked, adding that the Council was unaware of the government’s assessment of River Road. “To ask us to collaborate on something we know nothing about is being disingenuous.”
The Central Government’s broader road development strategy includes securing funding from international partners and allocating 15 percent of transfer taxes collected from major developer Peace Love & Happiness (PLH) to road infrastructure. These funds are expected to provide $50 million for projects starting in 2025.
However, Warner defended the Council’s decision to prioritise River Road repairs, citing the road’s critical role in providing access to Barbuda’s main hospital.
“We explained to the government that part of the road that we’re working on, it is of dire importance that we develop that piece of road because it connects us directly to the hospital. The fact is that the road has been a problem for years. It is very difficult for the ambulance … to navigate the road when it has patients. Based on that fact alone, we don’t have time. That part of the project has to be done and done now. That was made clear to them,“ he said.
Warner also emphasised the Council’s legal right to pursue such projects and called for greater inclusion in road development discussions.
“And I just wanted to make it clear that the Barbuda Council, in the best interest of the people of Barbuda, has no issues with collaborating to improve the network. But I want them to understand that the Barbuda Council has to be made part of any road development that is going to take place in Barbuda, not just via consultation, but we have to be part of it because the law is specific when it comes to the responsibility of the Barbuda Council.”
He also addressed funding allocations from PLH and the Caribbean Development Bank, noting that no discussions have taken place with the Council regarding those resources.
“We are ready and willing to accept the support from the government and from the Caribbean Development Bank. We have no issues with that, but the government needs to discuss that proposal with the Barbuda Council,” he said.
The Council began work on the River Road project in early December, and the initiative was fully funded without assistance from the Central Government. The project, facilitated by contractor Griff Walker, is expected to be completed by January 2025.
Once completed, the upgraded River Road will significantly improve access to essential services, ensuring smoother and safer travel for residents and visitors alike.
