Government insists Privy Council ruling will not halt work on Barbuda airport.
By Aabigayle McIntosh
Information Minister Melford Nicholas has given some level of assurance that work on the airport in Barbuda will continue despite a Privy Council ruling by two residents against the development.
The court on Tuesday ruled in favor of Barbudans Jacquline Frank and John Mussington in the case about their legal standing to challenge approvals by the Development Control Authority (DCA) on projects on the sister Isle.
“We are forging ahead with the development and I got word that the pipelines to provide potable water to the new airport have arrived so we are moving on with the execution of the plan,” Nicholas said.
The pipeline, according to him, will go from the River area to the airport. Having heard the case last November, the Privy Council reversed the decision of the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal.
In a state media interview Tuesday night government’s lead Dr David Dorsette it is left to see what the claimants will do given the fact that the airport is nearing completion.
“I think we can accept that in building this airport not all T’s were crossed and I’s dotted but the reality is that the airport has been completed and it is hoped that in very short order it will become operational,” Dorsette said.
Meanwhile, UK Attorney Leslie Thomas KC, who represented the Barbudan duo has indicated they will be challenging the government to seek disclosure about the Environmental Impact Assessment for the airport which they said was never seen, and other matters.
The next step in the legal battle also includes a review of the trial to be held in Antigua.
This story was first published by Antigua News on : antigua.news/2024/02/29/government-insists-privy-council-ruling-will-not-halt-work-on-barbuda-airport. © 2024 Antigua News. Republication without permission is not allowed.
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Donna February 29, 2024, 2:02 PM