Former MP Arthur Nibbs of Barbuda calls on fellow Barbuda MP Trevor Walker, the Barbuda Council and the Prime Minister to lay to rest the war among them as the nation faces a pandemic.
“There is a time and place for everything under the Sun. I am calling on MP Walker and Members of the Barbuda Council, Hon. Prime Minister and the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda for a time out on the War of Words between both sides and let’s come together as one voice to fight the Common Enemy COVID-19 in the interest of the people of Antigua & Barbuda,” Nibbs shared on his Facebook.
In recent times, a tug of war has erupted between central government and the Barbuda Council over whether the sister island has the right to close its borders to boats from Antigua.
Last week the government instructed Barbuda to keep the borders open to pleasure craft travelling between the two islands.
However, the Council defied the government again saying that pursuant to section 123 of the Constitution, all non-essential movement between Antigua and Barbuda will be restricted, subject to review.
Council members claim the move is to keep Barbudans safe from COVID-19 as they have no confirmed cases and intend to maintain it.
Attorney-General Steadroy Benjamin says, however, that the Council had been “ill-informed and ill-advised”.
Benjamin said Antigua and Barbuda is a “unitary” state and “you cannot have a state within a state which is what the Council is trying to uphold at present”.
According to Benjamin, once the central government makes a ruling, it must be honoured by all and “Barbuda is no exception”.
He also claimed Barbudans are not mindful of the society and the democratic organisation under which residents operate.
“It’s unfortunate and it is a pity that these issues are raising itself at this time,” he said.
What is comforting, according to Benjamin, is knowing that “very soon” all such matters pertaining to governance of the twin island nation will be resolved.
He was referring to the government’s intention to amend the Local Government Act to strip responsibilities from the Barbuda Council, a decision that Barbuda’s MP Trevor Walker has vowed to fight.
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Why are the Barbudans behaving like puppets on a string pulled by Trevor Walker…. Enough is enough! Time is definitely overdue for the central govt to put something in place once and for all…… The Barbudans, neither Trevor Walker do not run things in this sovereign state…..Things in this state which includes Barbuda are run by the PM Browne & the ABLP administration….
The Attorney General cannot amend the Barbuda Local Government Act without the consent of the Barbuda Council according to section 123 of the Antigua and Barbuda Constitution, so what the Attorney General is saying is pure nonsense and perhaps meant solely for the consumption of his party supporters.
Well said Tabor.You are spot on in regards to the Constitution.In my opinion the Attorney General is not too involved in the “knowledge” of the Constitution of Antigua and Barbuda.
Why you think you know so much? You running for office or something. No idea who you are. Ig you running for something you need more media exposure. Just saying. Keep well Chuck.
Why is Mr. Nibbs speaking? Does he not realize that Trevor Walker is the JIM JONES of Barbuda?? Until this is recognized, any attempt at civility, common sense and objective thinking is FUTILE.
Not sure of the legality of the council’s action on the “close border to Barbuda” for fear of Covid,… however it appears to be in good faith to protect it’s residents/people from any chance of an outbreak in Barbuda if they do not have any case to date.
Yes ALEX the Barbuda Council cannot legally close its borders only the Central Government can do that. However, you are absolutely correct that the action of the Council was taken for fear of the covid virus affecting the people of Barbuda. You are also onto something because even though what the Council did was wrong, because of the harm (the covid virus) that the wrong (closing of their border) was taken to combat, the action of the Council could be understood and excused based on the Law of Necessity. Also, don’t forget that the Council acted in the interest of the Barbuda people since the Central Government was not looking out for their interest. All power to the courageous people of Barbuda.
Are you campaigning or something? Who you be?
You have to excuse him. He suppose to be one lawyer but only work he seem to do is campaign on ANR and want cuss out anybody who does not agree with his bullshitwith some fancy big work trying to hide his wicked ways. Karma is slowly approaching him.
Why would this Administration want pleasure crafts to go to Barbuda? What is their motive?Is it greed and or spitefulness?Only they know the answers.If Barbuda has no Covid 19 cases.Leave it the way it is,closed at this time.Do they want to bring the virus to Barbuda?Let us begin to use our marbles for the betterment of all.Now is not the time to stir up anger in others.In my opinion,if the Barbuda differences with this Administration are not ironed out amicably.I see bloodshed on the sandy beaches of Barbuda.I do hope it does not come to that.
Arthur Nibbs: No one should be listening to you.You have insulted the people of Barbuda.Go back and replay the nasty things you have said towards them.Could that be the reason you were kicked out of office.Now the Labor Party do not want you either.
Nasty things? Don’t you mean Trevor Walker? It was Vivian Michael who reported on what Trevor Walker had to say about his own worshipers.
He called them GREEDY, BADMINDED, LAZY, DRUNK, PROMISCUOUS and DEPARTED FROM GODLY THINGS etc etc
Do we have a Donald Trump and his administration running the government of Antigua and Barbuda? Why not leave the people of Barbuda alone while they protect their people. Concentrate on finding food for the people of Antigua and money to pay the civil servants. Antigua is suppose to be under a curfew so what are Pleasure boats doing going to Barbuda. Agree with Nibbs. We don’t need no top dog barking at this time or ever.
Let the pleasure crafts come in Antigua first. Them want to infect Barbuda.
We can’t even go beach here in our beloved island and that is understandable.we can’t even help our own people, waiting to beg money and get hand outs.
And the government concern about pleasure boats. Seems as if our government is a puppet
Must be his and his ministers’ pleasure boats. Or maybe some of them will be hitching a ride with friends. Do they care if they carry the virus to Barbuda?
Maybe they want to hide out in Barbuda from the virus.
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