BY- Hon. E. P. Chet Greene
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Barbuda Affairs
Dear Editor,
Politics is often portrayed as an unprincipled, chaotic engagement. But at its core, politics is the science of life; governed by rules and the decisions made within it impact people’s lives in profound ways.
Social and economic progress or stagnation, are the results of political decisions, frequently referred to as “policy interventions.”
If we acknowledge this truism, we must also accept that honesty and decency are fundamental to national success. As a Christian community, we can draw on several biblical passages in support of this principle.
Recent events in Barbuda exemplify just how political noise, if left unchecked, can obscure truth and hinder national development. The manufactured controversy surrounding land ownership is not just misleading; it is counterproductive.
Rather than fostering constructive discourse, some opposition elements seem intent on sowing confusion and division, disregarding the legal and political realities that govern our nation.
Let’s examine some indisputable facts:
1. Land Ownership in Antigua and Barbuda is Settled Law.
All lands in Barbuda that are not privately owned belong to the government of Antigua and Barbuda (the crowd). This has been reaffirmed through no fewer than six court rulings, culminating in a decision by the British Privy Council (final appellate court). The matter is no longer up for debate.
2. Attempts to rewrite the law are disingenuous and any argument suggesting otherwise is not just misleading but actively harmful to national development. Continuing to stoke baseless fears undermines efforts to modernize Barbuda’s economy and empower our people.
3. No administration before the current Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) government has placed such a high priority on Barbuda’s development.
This government’s policy interventions are transformative, moving the island beyond subsistence living and towards a modern, diversified economy.
4. The transition in land ownership policy is not an attack on Barbudans but an empowerment tool. It provides security of tenure, access to capital and opportunities for investment, all key elements for economic growth.
One of the most tangible demonstrations of this progressive policy is government’s proposed housing project at Louie Hill.
By offering subsidized land ownership to Barbudans, the administration is enabling individuals to secure assets, build homes and contribute to economic growth.
This initiative, combined with other development efforts, starkly contrasts with the “do-nothing” approach of past administrations.
The reality is clear: a vibrant, self-sustaining island economy is now taking shape. This will expose and debunk the historical claims that have been used to justify stagnation.
The recent confrontation with law enforcement by a small faction of opposition members in Barbuda was not surprising. The timing coincides with the upcoming Barbuda Council elections in March 2025.
The opposition’s playbook remains unchanged, exploiting the “protect the land” narrative in a bid to sway voters. However, this strategy has lost its impact.
Barbudans are increasingly aligning themselves with the government’s agenda of development and empowerment, rather than the empty rhetoric of obstructionist politics.
The vision laid out by Arthur Nibbs, focusing on a modernized Barbuda with robust investments in education, health, tourism, fisheries, entrepreneurship and trade is no longer an abstract concept. Before our eyes is becoming reality.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s 2013 vision of Barbuda as a “diamond in the rough” is materializing. Less than a decade after the devastation of Hurricane Irma, the island is witnessing unprecedented growth.
Infrastructure projects, economic diversification efforts and increased government investment are reshaping Barbuda into a model of resilience and development and equal to the developments on Antigua.
In a subsequent article, I will outline the ongoing and upcoming development projects that are transforming Barbuda. These initiatives are not just theoretical, they are happening now.
Barbudans must engage with these opportunities and recognize that the focus of this era is people’s empowerment and economic self-sufficiency.
For national development to succeed, political actors must evolve. The old narratives of land theft and exploitation are outdated and irrelevant.
The future of Barbuda is about modernization, economic opportunity and empowerment. Political discourse must shift from obstructionist rhetoric to constructive engagement.
Barbudans deserve a future built on facts, development and shared prosperity, not fear mongering and political theatrics.
It is time to move beyond the politics of noise and focus on the rules that govern real progress.
Truth matters. Laws must be respected. Progress must not be hindered by misinformation
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Chups and more chups Daryl Matthew is way ahead of you, more trustworthy for sure
Chet let’s get beyond the fact that you did not write this. And let’ s agree that Mackenzie Frank and Trevor Walker were ill advised for similar cases were brought before the Privy Council by the former Chairman of the Barbuda Council Thomas Hillbourne Frank lost.
In both cases the Barbudans lost for the very same reasons. “The claimant had no locus standi”
First there are not privately owned lands in Barbuda. The Crown is the trustee of all Barbuda lands. The application of the term Crown Land in Barbuda is quite different from Crown land in Antigua. All Crown land is not governed by the same set of legal conditions CHET. So when your part puts out It’s Crown land Story closed its false and erroneous.
Crown lands in Barbuda is defined in a way that most Antigua are not familiar with. Antigua Crown lands can be sold. The Representative of the Crown, Sor Rodney Williams has the authority to transfer Crown lands to individual(s) and other entity as fee simple lands. they get a title deed, and the land is theirs.
Yes, the land in Barbuda remains Crown land but it’s governed by a unique set of ACTS that causes Barbuda to differ from Antigua and most other places. The ruling also says Barbudans are tenants of the Crown.
The Barbuda Local Government Act together with the Barbuda Land Act 2007 is recognized by the Privy Council ruling which details the laws under which and how Barbuda lands are to be managed by and on behalf of Barbudans.
The ruling even states it were the prior losses at the Privy Council by Barbudans which led to the Barbuda Local Government Act which is part of the Constitution and subsequently the Barbuda Land Act 2007.
Your Item.1 Your statement it is partially correct about settled law. What is incorrect is the interpretation of the settled law, and actions being taken by The Antigua Government pursuant to its erroneous interpretations.
Starting with the Attorney General and the Solicitor General, a false narrative is being pushed about the meaning of “Barbuda Land is Crown Land.
The ruling did used the term Barbuda Land is Crown Land in several instances. It’s purpose was to recognize that Barbuda lands were never released from the Crown.
The ruling also states the methods through which Barbuda land are to be managed. The law Lords went to the trouble of detailing the Ruling documents the history the controversies and the various legal process that were adopted in ACT.
Here the excerpts from the Privy Council Judgement: not my words.
Part VI of the 2007 Act, headed “Future Development of Land in Barbuda”,
contains sections 16-19 and, together with the earlier section 6, provides for major
developments in Barbuda. Section 6 reads as follows:
“6. (1) Leases of land for major developments
The Council, with the approval and on the advice of Cabinet and having obtained the consent of a majority of the people of Barbuda, may grant leases of land for major
developments in accordance with this section and Part VI.
(2) A person proposing to develop land in Barbuda shall
apply to the Council in accordance with the regulations and
pay the application fee set out in the regulations.
Page 9 (3) Before the Council grants a lease under subsection (1)
it shall obtain the consent of a majority of the people of
Barbuda.
(4) The Council may grant a lease of land in Barbuda for a
major development for a maximum period of 50 years, or any
longer period that the Council may, by regulation fix in
accordance with this Act.
Turns out The Barbuda Council followed the laws in Article 6 Para. 1 thru 4; and so did The Antigua Government with regards to Paradise Found lease. In this case obstructionist YES!
To be Continued…
Chet thinks he is next in line, you are going to get your rude awakening, can’t wait for the time to come