While it has faced obstacles in the past, the land adjudication process in Barbuda has seen some advancements with notices getting delivered successfully to the public.
Members of the Adjudication Committee have also travelled to the sister isle to personally give Section 5 and 6 notices and registration forms in accordance with the Land Adjudication Act, Cap.234, said one report. It was shared by Gaston Browne, the prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda, on his official Facebook page.
The step is a key part of the ongoing process of land registration. The committee’s efforts with a personal touch aimed to ensure full participation of the community.
The notices and forms have been made available in important public offices around the island, making it convenient for residents and other interested parties.
Some of the points where the notices can be accessed are: Antigua and Barbuda Public Utilities, Barbuda Fire Station, Antigua Commercial Bank, Holy Trinity Primary School, Barbuda Police Station, Sir McChesney George Secondary School, Barbuda Electoral Office, and Radio Light House.
The citizens have been requested to access the notices at these locations and review them before participating in the application process for registering land.
What is land adjudication process?
A land adjudication process is a legal course of action to determine the ownership and boundaries of land. It generally includes surveying, mapping and resolving disputes related to land rights. Land adjudication processes help in avoiding disputes over land and setting up clear titles.
About the application process:
The application process remains continuous with individuals able to submit applications for land registration across nine adjudication sections. The nine registration sections include: West Coast, Palmetto, South Coast, Salt Lake, East Coast, Midlands, Two Foot Bat, North Coast, and Lagoon.
It has been said that the land adjudication process in Barbuda is an important step towards ensuring proper documentation, security, and development of owning land. The government has invited all eligible citizens of the sister isle to get their lands registered.
Claims in writing can be sent to the Antigua Public Utilities Authority, the Police Station, or the Fire Station in Barbuda or at the Land Registry on High Street or the Ministry of Legal Affairs at Parliament Drive, in St. John’s, Antigua, during normal working hours. Claim forms can also be obtained at these points.
Additionally, one can also send an email to technical.barbuda@ab.gov.ag.
It was also learnt that the adjudication team will hold an interview with the Barbuda Channel on Wednesday, January 8, at 4:15 pm local time to update members of the public about the adjudication process.
Issues with Barbuda land adjudication
In September 2024, the Barbuda Council initiated legal action against the government of Antigua and Barbuda over the land adjudication process. A team from the council, which runs the sister isle’s day-to-day affairs, met with representatives of the Cabinet to address several issues, including land adjudication.
The team was led by Barbuda’s parliamentarian Trevor Walker raised the issue of land adjudication process, which was originally scheduled for May last year to address matters of land use and ownership in Barbuda.
The Land Adjudication Board, chaired by Antigua and Barbuda’s Deputy Governor General Sir Clare Roberts, began its operations in Barbuda in August 2024. The cabinet had said then that the process will continue as long as it is required but within a reasonable timeframe to ensure an accurate mapping of the island.
But the Barbudan leadership was not pleased. Council Chairman Devon Warner slammed the central authorities in May alleging there was no proper consultation with the council and called it disrespectful for both the council and the people of Barbuda.
In September, MP Walker said the council initiated legal action to challenge the adjudication process. He added that the Barbudan body was ready to move the court against PLH developers over restricted access to Palmetto Point. He accused PLH of blocking a traditional access path to Palmetto Point which the local people have been using for years.
While the Cabinet, including PM Browne, promised to address the concerns, the council said they would not simply wait for a resolution and take action over the matter if it is not resolved.
