Government to Begin Selling Barbuda Land as New Registry Takes Shape
Prime Minister Gaston Browne says the government will move ahead with the sale and registration of land in Barbuda, including a plan to allow eligible Barbudans to obtain up to one acre for a nominal fee of $1 under a new land registry system.
Speaking on Pointe FM on Saturday, Browne said the long-discussed issue of land ownership in Barbuda is now entering a new phase with the establishment of a Barbuda section within the national land registry.
“Within a matter of months we’ll be selling land in Barbuda,” Browne said. “The Barbudans get it for one dollar, and even Antiguans as well will be able to buy land in Barbuda.”
The Prime Minister said the symbolic $1 payment is intended as a legal consideration rather than a commercial price.
“The dollar is like a gift,” Browne said. “The dollar is just a legal consideration that is required. So it’s like we’re giving up to one acre.”
According to Browne, the arrangement is being designed primarily for Barbudans who were living on the island around the time Hurricane Irma struck in 2017 and who have continued residing there since.
“We’re talking about those who’ve been living in Barbuda,” he said, noting that the government intends to establish eligibility criteria to prevent abuse of the programme.
Browne said Barbudans who do not wish to obtain freehold ownership will still have the option of leasehold arrangements or no formal title at all.
“Our position is those who do not want to have freehold, you can get leasehold,” he said. “If you want neither freehold nor leasehold, that’s your choice.”
The Prime Minister stressed that existing homeowners in Barbuda would not lose their properties under the new system.
“We’re not taking anything from anybody,” Browne said.
He said the first phase of the initiative will focus on the Louis Hill area, where approximately 115 acres have already been earmarked for development and parcelization.
Browne also confirmed that Antiguans and Barbudans outside the special category would still be able to purchase land in Barbuda, but at commercial rates.
“When we sell to Antiguans, they’ll have to pay the commercial value,” he said.
The Prime Minister defended the initiative as part of a modernization process aimed at formalizing land ownership and administration in Barbuda while empowering residents with legal title documents.
“What we’re seeking to do here is to empower the Barbudans,” Browne said. “They will have a formal legal document to say that they either have a lease or they have freehold title to land in Barbuda.”
Browne maintained that the government has the legal authority to proceed with land sales and leases in Barbuda, citing rulings by the Privy Council on the issue.
“The land was never vested in any individual in Barbuda or collectively,” he said. “It was always vested in the Crown.”
He added that the government does not intend to sell large tracts of land to foreigners and said major developments such as those operated by PLH would continue under leasehold arrangements.
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Out of respect and the wishes for my fellow Barbudans, as an Antiguan, I won’t be investing in land purchasing in Barbuda.
The fact that Prime Minister Browne has open the door and made legislation for $1 dollar plot/land sales against the wishes of the Barbudan citizens suggest that this is more than likely because the ABLP cannot make any headway with the voters in Barbuda.
And hopefully, his outrageous remarks about the Barbudans in calling them “deracinated imbeciles” will eventually backfire, and halt the ABLP’S march towards making Barbuda the playground of the rich and famous.
BARBUDA FOR INDIGENOUS BARBUDANS
Oh gosh Gaston..I’m not with you with this one nah, leave Barbudans with them lands and stop selling what belongs to them. You actually done sold off Antiguan lands 🇦🇬 and now you want to do the same with Barbuda, a talk bout $1 to make it look good and they’re not gonna get the beach front lands cause them done secure by the riches.
Oh gosh Gaston..I’m not with you with this one nah, leave Barbudans with them lands and stop selling what belongs to them. You actually done sold off Antigua lands 🇦🇬 and now you want to do the same with Barbuda, a talk bout $1 to make it look good and they’re not gonna get the beach front and the best land parcels cause them done secured by the riches, including u 😉
Those foreign investors would be now be freed to buy lands in Barbuda.At the moment,they could only leased the lands on Barbuda.Once the windows and doors are opened to purchase lands.The Barbudans would be penned into an area with zero access to their beaches on the Island.Be wise people of Barbuda and do not fall for the bull chit,of $1.
@Brixtonian
Let’s put forward the facts.
There are several judicial hearing scheduled in June concerning Barbuda lands, and the so called Adjudication process Gaston is using to confiscate Barbuda lands.
PLH/BOC sales on Barbuda has stalled. The buyers want freehold titles. The buyers are hoping for a big payday when they sell their homes.
For individuals and families that make these type of homes, for them it’s ROI: return on investment
Just like in London where a freehold flat has more value than a leasehold flat; on Barbuda a leasehold luxury home will not appreciate at the rate these buyers want.
At NOBU the developers including De Niro are faced the same problem.
Enter the nincompoops who genuflect and kiss up to the wishes of the developers.
One such developer on Barbuda demanding the freehold lease for his development is reported in the Los Angelos press to be raising money on behalf of a reality television star against Karen Bass the female African American Mayor of LA.
This announcement is so convoluted it more than ridiculous. Many if not most Barbadians live on more than an acre of land. Many have backyard gardens and farms. Others have commercial businesses.
For the many Antiguans who are chewing at the bit to purchase land in Barbuda. Be aware there is limited infrastructure.
No Government portable water. Not even the main road from River/Ferry Dock to Codrington is paved.
Barbudans will need to continue to fight like hell to retain their lands
Perhaps they can be offered more than 1 acre. Perhaps they should take the deal. 1 acre of land is worth a lot these days. They could use that acre as collateral to finance businesses or education. They could even sell it for a large profit later on if they wish. Perhaps the place will become more developed if more people move there. Anyway, best wishes to them whatever they decide.
ARE THERE PEOPLE IN ANTIGUA WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM SUCH A MOVE? GASTON BROWNE,HOW MUCH LEASED LANDS DO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY HAVE ON BARBUDA? PEOPLE,PEOPLE,PEOPLE,THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX.THE LAWS MADE BY PARLIAMENT HAVE UNDER CURRENT.THEY ARE DESIGNED AND CREATED TO HELP THOSE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT IN CABINET.
@ compromise?
Almost everyday there is a notice in the newspapers by the Banks auctioning properties
No Barbudan has ever lost their home due to bank foreclosure.
@ BSC YOUNG BOYS OF BERN
With regards to Barbuda one does not need to think outside the box. The facts and the situation is starting them in their faces.
It has been covered in the media that Gaston father in law leased an old hotel with 15 acres years ago when ABLP operatives controlled the Barbuda Council.
With the backing of Eastern European investors they have recently fenced up 150 acres including more beach land. They are claiming they have a lease for what they fenced up, but it’s only for the 15 acres.
Under Gaston’s plan of Adjudication leased land becomes titles land.
That matter is going to Court in the next 2 weeks ; that’s why Gaston is making these announcements.
Barbudans please dont agree to the sales of your lands like the neocolonization mess presently happening in Antigua but only through lease programmes. Keeping your lands is your true empowerment. A people without a land is like a tree without a root. You sell your lands and you will be displaced forever .please fight to keep your patrimony and safeguard that heritage to the next generations.
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