Finance Minister Gaston Browne announced that the government has allocated $35 million to enhance the road infrastructure in Barbuda.

He emphasized that this initiative will be a primary focus for the ABLP government in the forthcoming months and years.

During the official inauguration of the Barbuda International Airport on Sister Ilse, Browne assured residents that significant developments, beginning with the roadways, are on the horizon.

He acknowledged that while the allocated funds may not cover the entire island’s road network, the government intends to collaborate with the Peace Love and Harmony project, mirroring the successful partnership established for the airport project.

“We have recently taken a decision to re-purpose $35 million of funding already approved by the Caribbean Development Bank to build out road infrastructure on Barbuda. We are not only promising, but we already have the funding”

“We have agreed that 50 percent of the taxes they collect for transfer taxes will be dedicated towards road development. So in 2025, we expect to spend in the region of about $50 million on roads in Barbuda as we seek to build out the island’s road network,” he declared.

PM Browne stated that the government has successfully attracted three major resort developments to the island, in addition to PLH’s annual contribution of $3 million in ABST to the Council.

These developments include a Rosewood hotel at the former Dulcina Hotel site, a Silver Sands resort, which is currently facing delays due to issues with the Council, and the Paradise Found project.

Regarding the Silver Sands project, the prime minister disclosed that the main point of contention revolves around the Council’s desire to construct a road before the hotel property.

He expressed his intention to engage in further discussions with the Council to reach a mutually acceptable resolution.

However, he said the government is prepared to move forward independently if no agreement can be reached.

“We will always consult because we believe in consultation. But having met with them and they refuse to cooperate, we will do precisely what we must do. There has to be beach access, and we will ensure that there is beach access to all the properties. But this notion that you can just cut a road in front a hotel, creating security problems, is just untenable,” he said

Browne is hoping that there is cooperation between the council and the government on this and other matters.