LETTER: Moving Beyond the Politics of Noise: What About the Rules?

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The Honourable E.P. Chet Greene

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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7 COMMENTS

  1. 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…

  2. He was instructed to publish this piece that was dictated to him , much like the apology he gave for entertaining party leadership ambitions. This Guy is a whimp.

  3. Why has the Minister failed to mention the plan commissioned by the GoAB #FutureBarbuda which when studied appears to be very comprehensive and appropriate. However, the development we are witnessing does not seem to tally with this plan. Why ?
    It certainly seems that it could be used to break the impass and set a new more positive course for the island.
    Volumes 3 and 4 are pertinent and it is not about land ownership in anyway, rather how it is utilized.
    https://ab.gov.ag/detail_page.php?page=44

  4. There is so much more to this. Gaston says in no uncertain terms that St. Peters constituency is a Garrison for The ALBP.
    Dredge Bay us being made a Garrison and the Barbuda development is intended to be a Garrison.
    Barbudans have rebuilt their homes since Hurricane Ir a 8 years ago with the help of USAID and Samaritan Purse
    The housing stock in Barbuda is much better than in Antigua villages.
    Barbuda has a shortage of housing for visitors and temporary workers. No shortage among Barbudans.
    This proposed project is a political project to further undermine the Barbuda Council.
    The Barbuda Council don’t need to be undermined by the Antigua Government taking over assigned grazing land which was it’s plan when it forced Barbudans off the island during Irma
    The plan back then was to relocate Barbudans and turn the Codrington lagoon into a Marina.
    This is a travesty and a tragedy for Barbuda.
    Their us nothing in the Privy Council ruling that give the Antigua Government the right to sell land in Barbuda.
    Any such thing is a false narrative

  5. Chet Green
    You opinions are not facts. The Barbuda s list the case which was stupid in their part from the beginning. The Privy Council Ruling said many things including Barbuda Lands are Crowns lands. That statement in the ruling is not as one dimensional as it means in Antigua.
    The ruling points to the history and the unique aspects of Barbuda.
    The ruling Documents reviews the various historic aspects and lawsuits as well as the Constitution and ACTs governing the legal framework of Barbuda lands.
    The false narrative is the Government if Antigua advocating for the narrow definition of Crown lands as it applies to Antigua but not in Barbuda.
    All Crowns lands do not have the same status. Barbuda Crown lands have a unique status which prevents the Governor from selling Barbuda lands.
    To say Crown Land is Crown Land and it is all the same is false.
    Most Crown Land throughout the Commonwealth are govern by the same principles. But many exceptions exists for Crown Lands.
    Barbudans obtain that unique status as a result of the fights prior to Lancaster House and after independence.
    Except for a few, the current delemma is the The Current Barbuda Council is made up of incompetence and dysfunctional charlatans.
    The current Government in Antigua is attempting to move quickly to take advantage of the knowledge gap among most of Barbuda Council.

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