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.
Dat a one election dem na win no k how much dem lie. The Barbudans nar go mek dat happen
I hope that both the Barbuda Council and PLH can come to a fair agreement in court. It’s time for the focus to be on making sure Barbuda’s residents are taken care of, not on playing political games. Let’s not let politics get in the way of develpment.
So when it comes to payment is the government that have to pay but for everything else including land it belongs to Barbudans alone. Hmmmmm
This whole situation just makes it harder to trust the government’s intentions. If they’re really only looking out for millionaires and big developers, Barbuda’s regular folks will be left behind. And afterall Mr. Browne will just do Barbuda the wa he’s doing us dumb antiguans. Leave barbuda alone GASTON
It’s unfortunate that political agendas seem to be getting in the way of what’s best for the people of Barbuda. There’s a bigger issue here about the island’s future and who gets to benefit from its growth.
To be honest….I believe the people of Barbuda have told the government many times that they wanna be left alone…yet there is this zill to make the people uncomfortable