Government Reaffirms Authority Over Barbuda Lands In Letter To Barbuda Council

GOVERNMENT OF ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
Ministry of Legal Affairs
Office of the Solicitor General
Attorney General’s Chambers
Government Office Complex
Parliament Drive
St. John’s, ANTIGUA W.I.

Telephone: (268) 462-0017 ext. 225; 462-0245
Email: [email protected]

January 24, 2025

Mr. Devon Warner
Chairman
Barbuda Council
Codrington
Barbuda

Dear Mr. Warner,

Re: Development at Louis Hill, Barbuda

I write on behalf of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda.

You will recall that during the course of last year, and at the invitation of the Cabinet, members of the Barbuda Council met with the Cabinet to discuss the Government’s plan for a property development at Louis Hill Barbuda which will consist of more than 200 homes, a mall, and infrastructure works. This plan is in keeping with the Government’s desire to improve housing for the people of Barbuda. Since that meeting, no response has been received from the Council on the proposed development.

It has been brought to the attention of the Cabinet that certain elements within the Council have caused two government-owned trucks to be placed in the path of the excavator that has been authorized to commence clearing of unwanted vegetation from the land at Louis Hill on which the new buildings are to be constructed.

The Government wishes to remind the Council that lands in Barbuda are owned by the Crown as stated in several decisions of the Privy Council and the Crown has power to grant any interest in any parcel of land in Barbuda. The Governor General as Her Majesty’s representative in Antigua and Barbuda in the exercise of his functions acts in accordance with the advice of Cabinet except in cases where by the Constitution or any other law he is required to act in his discretion, or after consultation with any person or authority other than the Cabinet or in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister or any person or authority other than the Cabinet. There is no requirement for the Crown to obtain the consent of the Barbuda Council before exercising his power to grant any land or interest in land in Barbuda.

The Government therefore seeks the cooperation of the Barbuda Council in facilitating the proposed development at Louis Hill and wishes to ensure that no harm is suffered by anyone and that no property is destroyed by any illegal action.

The Council is requested to refrain from impeding this development and is hereby put on notice that any further resistance or action that may be taken to frustrate this development will not be tolerated. The Government will pursue swift legal action against any person or persons who take any illegal action to impede and frustrate this development.

Yours sincerely,

Martin Camacho
Solicitor General

cc. Hon. Gaston Browne, Prime Minister & Minister of Finance & Corporate Governance
Hon. Sir Steadroy C. O. Benjamin, Attorney General & Minister of Legal Affairs, Public Safety & Labour
Hon. Trevor Walker, MP for Barbuda

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