By Robert A. Emmanuel
Senator Dwayne George made his first official appearance and speech in the Upper House Parliament yesterday, which debated an amendment to the Registered Land Act.
The country’s newest Senator was appointed to the post by Prime Minister Gaston Browne following his selection as the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) candidate for the upcoming by-election St Mary’s South.
In his first remarks on the floor of the Upper House, the senator thanked both Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Senator Samantha Marshall for giving him the opportunity to represent the country.
Senator George gave his contribution to the debate on the Registered Land (Amendment) Act which he said would greatly benefit the people of Barbuda who wish to become entrepreneurs.
“It allows for the members of Barbuda to have a better living standard, to increase the purchasing power and to increase their disposable income because if you can borrow money on the lands, you can invest in education, you can invest in housing, you can invest in business,” he said.
Senator George, who recently resigned from his role as an economics teacher at the Antigua State College, spoke more about the economic benefit of the changes to the legislation.
“I believe that Barbudans should also reserve the right of owning land because, as Senator [Fabian] Jones stated, ‘land is power’ and if you want to empower your people you to have to give them something that appreciate and not depreciate,” he added.
Senator George was greeted by both sides of the political divide in the Upper House. However, his fellow ABLP senators expressed their belief that he will soon be serving in the House of Representatives.
The new senator had reportedly been upset with his former colleagues in the United Progressive Party who he accused of side-lining him and denying him a chance to showcase his talents.
