Prime Minister Gaston Browne has a warning for Barbuda Representative Trevor Walker. It comes days after a seemingly amicable resolution to the row between Central Government and the Barbuda Council over control the Fisheries Complex on the sister isle.
“We are taking a firm stand,” Browne on Pointe FM radio yesterday afternoon.
“(If) Trevor Walker incites any form of violence in Barbuda or does anything illegal, me personally go put pressure on law enforcement to deal with him,” PM Browne said.
The use Barbuda resources and overall island direction have been an ever-growing source of contention between the ruling administration and the people of Barbuda. The land, the sand, and now the area of fisheries have all evoked the ire of central government and the Barbuda Council, with both claiming to have final jurisdiction in areas aforementioned.
Walker has long been insistent that law enforcement, “Doesn’t seem to know the law.”
“There are certain autonomies given to Barbuda based on the Barbuda local government Act that is apart of the Constitution. So, the top brass of the officers should have been au fait with what (the Council) is responsible for and what we’re not responsible for.”
The Barbuda Local Government Act speaks to the functions, powers and duties of the Council in PART V:
- The Cabinet may, save as respects the matters and duties of Council. and things specified in subsection (2) of this section, give general or special directions to the Council as to the policy the Council should follow in the exercise of the powers and functions of the Council under this Act or any other law.
- In the exercise by the Council of its powers and functions under this Act it shall be the responsibility and duty of the Council-
(a) to administer agriculture and forestry;
(b) to administer public health, medical and sanitary facilities and services;
(c) to administer and regulate the provision of electricity and water services and other public utilities;
(d) to construct, improve and maintain roads;
(e) to raise and collect revenue pursuant to the provisions of this Act to enable the Council to meet expenses necessarily incurred or to be incurred in the performance of its powers and functions under this subsection except to the extent that financial provision in that behalf may be made from time to time by Parliament.
Subsection 4 (c) gives specifies that the administration of fisheries falls as one of the duties of the Council.
The Barbuda MP has also made it clear to PM Browne that, “Under no circumstances, that I’m gonna agree to allow the (Fisheries) keys to be turned over to the police.”
The prime minister was adamant about threat of police action and unfazed by the specter of Cabinet control and direction of the force.
“They can call it interference or whatever they wish, don’t matter. (I) will pick up the phone and call the commissioner and tell him, ’deal with that,’” PM Browne said.
His comments come after a recent round of denials by the Antigua Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) administration of the government directing the police force.
The latest standoff between the leaders on both islands of the unitary state escalated between last Sunday and Monday, with the Walker-led Barbuda Council refusing to relinquish control of the fisheries complex to police officers. The officers were housed in the building in the wake of Hurricane Irma. The Council, meanwhile, reported that they needed to regain control given the start of the lobster season to facilitate exportation.
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Trupzzzzz! I believe it’s more important to get to the root of the matter and fix it rather than talking as if they expect from their actions violence would become necessary. All I’ll say be careful what you wish for.
Trevor, it’s time to call for INTERNATIONAL HELP & PUT THIS BULLY WHERE HE BELONGS, he’s a disgrace to the WORLD AS A LEADER LEADERSHIP IS NOT A POSITION IT’S AN ACTION, CLEARLY THIS PM LACKS LEADERSHIP. HE’S FROM THE BACKYARD
I agreed. It is time for Trevor and the Barbudan people seek for internationals help. I don’t know what they’re are waiting for. Are they afraid of Gaston and his hooligans? Trevor, please act now before it’s too late!!!
I think that is time for Antigua and Barbuda to part ways. Give Trevor Walker and the Barbuda people what they desire, Independence. The Barbuda Council will then have full control of all Barbuda affairs.
U control the police also u must be a dictator what is the policy who is in charge u better check all the facts mr weak prime ministers them
Oh yes he is a dictator almost there following the path of his best narco friend Nicolas Maduro no one wonder why they have a embassy in Russia now well it’s says it all
I’m in total agreement that this PM is not a Leader or a man of high morals. He want to control the sister island by using the weakness of the people from a disaster not help or support from a PM of both islands how can that be. To govern is to provide and care for the people not to destroy.
For a Caribbean living in the UK and stayed on both islands for a period of time i find this distasteful, my family and friends did a number of events to support both islands in the wake of the hurricane not for our selfs but for the good of the people of Antigua and Barbuda. God will give them the power to see this through
I am wondering what’s taking the Barbuda council so long to commence with the separation process from this evil place. I think it’s high time that the council take the bull by the horns and do what they have to, so that the Barbuda can go back to a normal way of life.
Accoeding to a councillor they have already written to the commonwealth but the commonwealth advised them that they cannot go on their own. They are not self sustainable.
The commonwealth can try get Barbuda back under England or even join with Anguilla. Something need to be done and soon. Gaston and his hooligans are the Antichrist. I pray God intervene on Barbuda behalf.
Oh yes he is a dictator almost there following the path of his best narco friend Nicolas Maduro no one wonder why they have a embassy in Russia now well it’s says it all
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