PM Browne Reveals Antigua Nearly Lost Booby Alley Housing Project Due to Protests and Delays

Antigua Had to Beg the Chinese to Save Booby Alley Housing Project, Says PM Browne

Prime Minister Gaston Browne disclosed on Saturday that Antigua and Barbuda almost missed out on the Booby Alley housing project due to significant delays caused by protests and opposition from residents. Browne, speaking on the radio, said that the project, which could have started two years ago, faced a prolonged delay primarily due to difficulties in clearing the area and moving residents out of the project site.

“We couldn’t get the area cleared. The condition precedent was to clear the area and get cooperation, but they refused,” Browne stated. He recalled that it was only last year that the area was finally cleared, allowing Chinese construction teams to proceed with measurements and design work. Browne highlighted that without a clear site, the project remained stalled for approximately three years.

The prime minister also addressed the resistance from certain individuals, noting that some residents had been misled by political figures who spread misinformation about the government’s intentions. “People like Alister were telling them that the government was trying to steal their land,” he remarked, criticizing those who had discouraged the community from cooperating with the project.

Browne recounted a particularly tense incident involving a resident who resisted police efforts and had to be subdued with a rubber bullet. Despite the protests and confrontations, Browne expressed relief that the project had finally resumed after years of challenges. “After all the fight and protestations, the people eventually moved out,” he said.

The prime minister further revealed that the delays nearly caused Antigua and Barbuda to lose critical funding from China for the project. “We almost lost the money,” Browne admitted, explaining that the government had to plead with Chinese officials to extend the project’s timeline. “We had to beg them to expand the timeline because we couldn’t deliver the site in time.”

Browne also touched on the European Union’s refusal to fund free homes through the project, emphasizing that the government had to navigate several financial challenges in addition to local resistance. Despite these hurdles, the prime minister expressed optimism that the Booby Alley project would soon provide new homes to the community, while criticizing those who had exploited residents’ fears for political gain.

Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]