Barbuda Council Rejects Land Registry Push
The Barbuda Council has hit back at the central government over plans to set up a land registry and sell land on the island. The Council is responding to reports including an article published on 21st May 2026 in Antigua.news and a similar piece in the Antigua News Room that Cabinet has approved a plan […]
Black News 
The Barbuda Council has hit back at the central government over plans to set up a land registry and sell land on the island.
The Council is responding to reports including an article published on 21st May 2026 in Antigua.news and a similar piece in the Antigua News Room that Cabinet has approved a plan to establish a Barbuda Land Registry and begin selling land on the island.
But the Barbuda Council says the pronouncements are intended to mislead the public.
“These pronouncements have been coming out of Cabinet over the past several years and are designed to mislead and to attempt to manufacture consent.
“They are designed to convince potential property buyers and speculators to participate in a luxury real-estate market that does not exist in Barbuda,” the Council said in a statement.
The Council made clear it will not accept moves by the Gaston Browne Administration to register and sell what it calls the people’s land.
“The ongoing plan of the Gaston Browne Administration to use the Land Adjudication Act and other laws that do not supersede the Local Government Act to unilaterally register and sell the People’s land will not be accepted or allowed,” the Council said.
The Council noted the matter is already before the courts with a hearing that took place on 9th June with another scheduled for 11th June.
It also called on Barbudans to keep their distance from the government’s efforts.
“The Council urges all Barbudans to continue to stay clear of these efforts to disenfranchise them of their rights to ALL the lands of Barbuda,” the statement read.
The Council pointed to the Barbuda Local Government Act (1976), which it says is entrenched in the Constitution of Antigua and Barbuda and grants the Council authority over the island’s administration.
It ended its statement with a firm declaration: “Barbuda’s Lands are NOT for Sale.”
According to the Cabinet notes of 20th May, the land adjudication process in Barbuda is “nearing completion” and preparations are underway for the official launch of a Barbuda Land Registry “on or about 31st August 2026”.
Cabinet approved the centralised management of Barbuda land records through the existing Land Registry structure in Antigua “in the first instance”.
The Cabinet notes further stated that the new system “is expected to enhance the management of land records, improve public access to registry services, and strengthen confidence in land transactions and ownership records.” Plans are also under way for the clearing of 216 acres of land at a particular location for sale to Barbudans at $1.
