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Police in Barbuda
The government remains steadfast in its commitment to a planned development programme, despite a tense standoff between law enforcement and members of the Barbuda Council, along with other villagers strongly opposed to the project.
The Barbuda Council has accused the government of bypassing its authority and violating the rights of Barbudans by clearing lands at Katel Hill—lands allocated to residents—without prior consultation.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne described the actions of some Barbudans as “lawlessness” and warned against violating the law.
“I just want to make it abundantly clear to those who believe that they can break the laws of this country with impunity that we will spare no effort in pursuing them legally,” Browne said.
Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin supported the Prime Minister’s stance, asserting that the protests were misguided and citing a Privy Council ruling that places Barbuda’s lands under Crown ownership.
“They brought the case, you know, against us to say that the lands are owned by them. They lost at every stage, and Trevor Walker said in Parliament if you can remember, ‘I am guided and bound by the decision of the Privy Council,’” the AG said.
Both officials stressed that order must prevail.
“The Privy Council ruled in favour of the government, and who is at the head of this misguided situation? The same Trevor Walker,” said the Attorney General.
Tensions escalated last week when two government trucks were reportedly used to block an excavator clearing the land.
THE GOVERNMENT KEEP ON DOING THIS KIND OF UNDER HAND THING’S BECAUSE NOW THAT THE WORLD IN A MESS TO NOTICE THEN BARBUDA THEY COME OF WHITE GUNS AND WE ARE A SMALL ISLAND HE KEEPS SAY THAT WE NEED ANTIGUA 🇦🇬 WE ALL NEED EACH OTHER HE IS MAKING LOST OF MONEY OUT BARBUDA FORM RICH PEOPLE IN THE U S
You moving like a one way street on a two lane highway. Why don’t both sides sit and work it out? Because, Brown, you bullying tactics is going to get people hurt one of these days and nobody go sorry Fu you
Gaston is running the country with a bullbud iron fist ghettos style. Nothing we do or says is going to change Gaston mind. He is who he is a man that gets what he wants always. He is using his leadership position to get it done. Nothing to benefit the people and country, but himself. The country and the people only gets the crumbs from Gaston table.
What obtains in Antigua should be the same in Barbuda.
These people are too damn entitled.