Barbuda Council Rejects Land Registration Process

Barbuda Council Rejects Land Adjudication Process, Asserts Land Ownership Rights

The Barbuda Council has issued a strong response to the government’s land adjudication process, rejecting what it describes as an attempt to circumvent the Constitution of Antigua and Barbuda.

In a press release dated 17 April 2024, the Council stated that it represents the people of Barbuda, “who are the owners of the lands of Barbuda.”

It criticised the government’s use of the Land Adjudication Act and other legislation, arguing these laws “do not supersede the Local Government Act” and asserting that any attempt to register and sell the island’s lands “will not be accepted or allowed.”

The Council cited the Barbuda Local Government Act of 1976, which it said empowers the Council to administer the island. Reaffirming its stance, the statement concluded, “Barbuda’s Lands are NOT for Sale.”

The government, however, has pressed ahead with the land adjudication process, claiming it is critical to ensuring proper land documentation and security.

In a January 6, 2025, statement, the government highlighted progress in delivering Section 5 and Section 6 notices under the Land Adjudication Act. Notices and registration forms have been made available at public offices, including the Barbuda Police Station, Antigua Commercial Bank, and the Barbuda Electoral Office.

Residents are being encouraged to participate in the process, which divides Barbuda into nine registration sections, including Palmetto, Salt Lake, and the North Coast.

Officials say the initiative is key to resolving ownership disputes and supporting development.

This disagreement marks the latest in a series of disputes over land ownership in Barbuda.

The Council maintains that Barbuda’s communal land ownership system, enshrined in the Local Government Act, is protected by the Constitution and cannot be overridden by national laws.

The government plans to further explain the process in a public interview with the Adjudication Committee on 8 January, but the Council’s firm rejection underscores the challenges ahead.

For now, the Council remains resolute in its position: Barbuda’s lands are not for sale.

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