Barbuda Council Disputes Prime Minister’s Claims Made in Local Press

The Barbuda Council has issued a formal statement refuting what they describe as “false and misleading statements” made by the Prime Minister in local press on February 24, 2025, regarding ABST funds recently paid by PLH (Barbuda) Ltd.

In their statement, the Council directly challenges several claims, asserting that they have “no outstanding wages or salaries owed to its workers.”

They note that despite what they characterize as “arbitrary and punitive cuts” to their budgetary allocation, they have managed to clear all outstanding payments to employees, which they describe as “a significant achievement with the support and patience of the workers.”

The Council also disputes responsibility for pension payments, stating that “the payment of pensions is not the legal responsibility of the Barbuda Council” but rather falls under the Treasury Department in Antigua through consolidated funds. They suggest the finance minister “should be well aware of this fact.”

Regarding PLH’s tax compliance, the Council contends that the company “has not been up to date with its ABST payments.”

 According to the statement, PLH only made a payment of $1,259,891.29 after “false pronouncements on the political platform” by a Cabinet member at a labour party campaign event in Barbuda.

The Council claims these actions are politically motivated, suggesting they represent “efforts on the part of the Prime Minister and his central government administration to influence the outcome of the pending Council election.”

The statement concludes by asserting that the central government is attempting to gain control of the Barbuda Council “to facilitate the sale of lands as part of its policy of promoting the creation of a luxury real estate market that benefits only the millionaires.”

Both the Council and PLH (Barbuda) Ltd. are currently involved in court proceedings over payment disputes.