Barbuda Protests: PM Browne Defends Housing Project Amid Tensions
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has defended his government’s housing project in Barbuda, rejecting claims of intimidation and inadequate consultation amid growing opposition from residents and the Barbuda Council. The development has sparked protests on the island, with demonstrators accusing the government of undermining Barbuda’s communal landownership traditions.
Mr. Browne argued that the land in Barbuda is legally vested in the Crown, a point he said was “settled law.” He dismissed claims that the Barbuda Council or individual residents have ownership rights over the land being cleared for the housing project.
“The only legal ownership of the land is vested in the Crown, not in the Barbuda Council or any individual,” he said. “Our policy is to empower Barbudans by offering each adult up to one acre of freehold land—a step away from the outdated concept of communal land tenancy.”
The Prime Minister described the initiative as part of a broader effort to address historical disparities in development between Barbuda and Antigua, calling the policy “a form of reparations.”
Protesters have accused the government of failing to adequately consult with the Barbuda Council, which they claim breaches governance protocols. Mr. Browne, however, insisted that multiple consultations had taken place and pointed to a proposed meeting in October 2024 with the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC), which the Council declined to attend.
“There is no legal requirement for the Cabinet to seek permission from the Barbuda Council to proceed with development,” Mr. Browne said. “We have engaged the Council repeatedly, but they continue to shift the goalposts.”
Protesters have also criticized the deployment of armed police to the area, labelling it an act of intimidation. The Prime Minister defended the presence of law enforcement, saying it was necessary to maintain order and ensure work on the site could continue uninterrupted.
Mr. Browne accused some protest leaders of misleading Barbudans about their land rights and using the issue for political gain ahead of upcoming council elections. He referred to the protests as a “political stunt” and said his administration would not be deterred.
“This is about misinformation and politics,” he said. “Every development initiative we have pursued in Barbuda has faced resistance from the Council. Despite this, we remain committed to improving the lives of Barbudans.”
The Prime Minister reiterated his government’s commitment to the project, which includes housing, a golf course, and renewable energy facilities. He warned that those obstructing the work could face legal consequences.
“We respect the right to peaceful protest, but no one is above the law,” he said. “Those who break the law will be held accountable.”
Mr. Browne also expressed willingness to continue consultations with the Council, saying, “We remain open to dialogue, but we will not compromise development for political expediency.”
The protests highlight longstanding tensions over land rights and governance in Barbuda, where a communal landownership system has been central to the island’s identity. The government’s plans are likely to remain a point of contention, with international observers closely monitoring developments.
Efforts to balance national development with local concerns will continue to test the relationship between the government and the people of Barbuda in the weeks ahead.
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Resist this wicked ALP government. Dem too thief! The land belongs to the people.
I think the Barbuda people believe they will become the minority in their country and are concerned about that, it’s a genuine concern, they do not trust the Browne administration
Barbudans are a set of imbeciles, full stop period.
PM Browne other than house slaves to rich exparts what will Barbudans benefit from the housing project? How many Barbudans will own one of the houses? Will the houses be under a management group that a Barbudan will get the opportunity to manage? So are they just giving up their matrimony for absolutely nothing???
In Antigua we are not yet the minority but very close to it and we are being treated as second class citizens can you imagine what it would be like when we become the minority. A word to the wise is sufficient. BE WARNED!
BARBUDANS MUST CONTINUE TO RESIST 💪
How so?
This matter is NOT settled as Gaston seems to think and for there to be peace in Barbuda It has to be settled. Who would want to spend millions in a situation where your investment might be at risk? That to me is the troubling part because it appears that for the love of money, Barbudans could be “Gaza-ized”.
Those who back and love Gaston better show him the repercussions of all of this. This is not about trying to be -police and army- bad. Loss of lives and the reputation of a nation are at stake here in more ways than one.
I went to Barbuda and i feel very disappointed the way many people think they will grow economically. Freedom is in the first place…The respect to the private property of the people. Barbudans think that having a land that is owned by “All” is Ok. as a free man, the last think you wanna hear is a government telling you “Im here to help you” or “All asset belong to the people”. There is nothing safe when you hear the second one “Everything belong to the people” that’s is a pure lie and is a manipulative move. You need to set boundaries of what belong to you. if you are a grow man/woman..You have the right to decided for what is the best for your private life without the political interest of some group.
What happened if one Barbudan disagree with the political view of the majority? The majority can declare him a person non grata and make his life miserable because there is no rights in his private property.. The majority can kick your as.. out, because the “land belong to all” those “All” will wipe you out. That’s is why the main reason to give every single citizen of Barbuda the Ownership of a piece of land..is the best.. Any Barbudan can feel proud to be the owner of a piece of land, and do with that land wherever he want. Council group, is a minority of people that take advantage a lot of the majority, Look how members of the council in Barbuda live? Look how is the life style of the members of the Barbuda council vs the majority of the population over there? There is a very clear huge difference, nice vehicles, houses, clothes, etc. So those ho are member of the council are manipulating the population for the own benefits, because they know if Antiguans or others go and invest over there, they will no longer be the Biggest One, that’s why they prefer drag the whole population is a poverty status, in order to keep their privilege. How much is the Salary of those members of the Council? Ypu think they wanna give up that monthly income? Nahh…That’s is why they are using the population in this land issue. Is to disrespectful that any Barbudan can buy land and property in Antigua, but no Antiguan can do the same in Barbuda.