The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda recently met with a three-person team to discuss significant changes coming to the island of Barbuda. The team, consisting of Senator Knacyntar Nedd, architect Chad Alexander, and Senator Clement Antonio, presented plans that will reshape Barbuda’s transportation infrastructure and land management.
A new airport on Barbuda’s southern side is nearing completion, with final approval expected within weeks. This facility will be capable of receiving international flights, necessitating a full complement of Immigration and Customs officials. The Cabinet has agreed that an increased Central Government presence will be required to support this development.
As the new airport becomes operational, the existing Codrington landing strip will be repurposed. Plans are underway to transform this area into a vibrant business hub, featuring shops, restaurants, and other commercial activities. A formal proposal for this project will be presented to the Cabinet in due course.
In response to a Privy Council decision concerning land in Barbuda, the Cabinet has decided that the village of Codrington will be designated as a single block, allowing residents to continue living as “tenants in common of the Crown” if they choose. However, those wishing to obtain individual land certificates will be able to do so, with ownership rights for the land on which their houses sit.
To support these developments, the government has ordered an additional firetruck and plans to construct a large administrative complex to house various government agencies. The incomplete Justice Complex, which will include the Magistrates Court and Police facilities, will also receive funding for completion.
These initiatives mark a significant step in Barbuda’s development, promising improved infrastructure, economic opportunities, and governance structures for the island’s future.
