Devon Warner, Chairman of the Barbuda Council has firmly rejected accusations of politicizing road repairs following criticism from government Senator Knacyntar Nedd-Charles.

The disagreement centres on the Council’s decision to prioritise repairs to River Road, which serves as a critical access route to Barbuda’s main hospital.

During the budget debate on Tuesday, Senator Nedd-Charles questioned the Council’s priorities, calling its decision to work on River Road “wasteful and unnecessary.” She explained that the Central Government had already developed a fully funded improvement plan for the same road, which includes concrete work and a detailed assessment.

“I can recall leading a delegation over to Barbuda with DCA, Ministry of Works, [and] my two colleague senators… We put down some extensive work mapping out the areas for the main road that we call the River Road,” Senator Nedd-Charles said. She questioned the Council’s priorities, adding, “Wouldn’t it make sense if those monies… were used by the council to look at other road networks?”

In response, Council Chairman Devon Warner criticised the lack of communication between the Central Government and the Barbuda Council. “Why wasn’t the party responsible for the development and maintenance of roads part of the delegation?” he asked, adding that the Council was unaware of the government’s assessment of River Road. “To ask us to collaborate on something we know nothing about is being disingenuous.”

Warner also defended the Council’s decision to prioritize River Road repairs due to the road’s vital role in providing access to healthcare. “The fact is that the road has been a problem for years. It is very difficult for the ambulance and so on to navigate the road when it has patients. Based on that fact alone, we don’t have time. That part of the project has to be done and done now,” he said.

The Council began work on the River Road project in early December, fully funding the initiative without assistance from the Central Government. The project, facilitated by contractor Griff Walker, is expected to be completed by January 2025.

The Central Government’s broader road development strategy includes securing funding from international partners and allocating 15% of transfer taxes collected from major developer Peace Love & Happiness (PLH) to road infrastructure. These funds are expected to provide $50 million for projects starting in 2025.

However, Warner called for greater inclusion of the Barbuda Council in road development discussions. “The Barbuda Council, in the best interest of the people of Barbuda, has no issues with collaborating to improve the network. But… we have to be part of it because the law is specific when it comes to the responsibility of the Barbuda Council,” he said.

He also pointed to unresolved issues regarding funding allocations from PLH and the Caribbean Development Bank, stating, “The government needs to discuss that proposal with the Barbuda Council.”

Government presence on Barbuda

As Barbuda’s population grows, the Central Government is ramping up efforts to ensure transparency and public awareness of ongoing projects. Information Minister Melford Nicholas announced plans to establish a bureau for the Antigua Broadcasting Service (ABS) on Barbuda.

“The development work on Barbuda is going to be effectively covered by state media,” Nicholas said, addressing MP [Trevor] Walker. “So, I intend to establish, working with you on the council, a bureau in Barbuda.”

Nicholas added that architectural drawings for a new ABS studio have already been commissioned, with plans to construct it using weather-resistant steel containers.

However, not all Barbudans are on board with the pace of development. The council and other residents have raised concerns about the potential impact on Barbuda’s natural environment and cultural traditions. Prime Minister Gaston Browne has described the government’s vision for Barbuda as creating “a Jumby Bay on steroids,” a comparison that highlights the ambition of these ongoing projects.