In a recent post-Cabinet media briefing, Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant has publicly issued a stern official warning from the Antigua and Barbuda Cabinet: any unapproved land sales, leases, and development projects across the island of Barbuda will not receive government recognition, and violators could face strict enforcement action, including the full demolition of illegally constructed structures.
The announcement followed in-depth Cabinet discussions centered on two key land governance topics: the ongoing development of the long-awaited Barbuda Land Registry, and the national government’s preparations for the formal sale of Crown land on the island. During the meeting, Attorney General and Minister for Legal Affairs Sir Steadroy Benjamin presented a progress update on bringing the new land registry into full operation, a initiative the government has framed as a foundational step to establish a clear, binding legal framework for all land registration processes and property transactions across Barbuda.
Cabinet members confirmed they were satisfied with the progress achieved so far, and publicly reaffirmed the government’s long-held position on institutional land authority on the island. The Cabinet made clear that under national law, the Barbuda Council does not hold the legal power to sell, lease, or otherwise transfer ownership of any land on the island. Any attempt by the Council to carry out these types of land transactions will be deemed legally void, and will never be recognized or upheld by the national government, the statement stressed.
This position is consistent with the government’s longstanding stance on Barbuda’s land administration, as it works to roll out a formal, centralized land registration system for the island. Merchant confirmed that work is still ongoing to put in place all the required legal and administrative infrastructure to support consistent land registration and regulated transactions. Government officials anticipate that once fully operational, the registry will deliver much greater legal certainty for existing landowners, prospective investors, and developers by creating an official, verifiable system for recording and confirming all legal land interests.
Beyond addressing unauthorized transactions, the Cabinet used the briefing to flag growing concerns over unapproved development activity. Ministers reiterated that every land transaction and construction project must comply fully with the national laws of Antigua and Barbuda, and any structures built without securing all necessary legal approvals will be subject to formal enforcement. Merchant noted that the discussion included specific references to ongoing development projects that have proceeded without the required permits, and emphasized that the government is fully prepared to take punitive action where violations are confirmed. Available enforcement actions include the demolition and complete removal of any unauthorized structures built in violation of national planning and development regulations.
The official warning comes as the national government moves to strengthen oversight of land management across Barbuda, through both the creation of the centralized land registry and the rollout of what officials describe as a far more transparent and secure system for overseeing all land transactions. The Cabinet regards the new registry as a critical pillar of broader efforts to boost transparency in land governance, protect formal property rights, and ensure that all land-related activities are conducted strictly within the bounds of national law.
Merchant added that the national government remains fully committed to fostering orderly, sustainable development across Barbuda, while ensuring that all land ownership transfers, transactions, and large-scale development projects adhere to established legal procedures. Thursday’s discussions form part of the Cabinet’s ongoing regular review of land management challenges in Barbuda, and the broader government initiative to build institutional systems that will deliver greater legal certainty for residents, developers, and investors alike.