The Barbudan populace has given the thumbs up to the Lighthouse Bay extension project, one of three discussed at a recent Town Hall meeting. While chairman of the Barbuda Council Kelvin Punter, expressed pleasure at the outcome of the gathering, the Antigua Labour Party representative on the Barbuda Council Senator Arthur Nibbs said he was disappointed that only one project got clearance from the villagers.
“We had a very interesting and productive village meeting last night,” Punter said. “We had three projects on the card that were discussed and at the end of it, with all the input and opinions and everything we got the consent of the people on the Lighthouse Bay which is very good and exciting.” He added that the investor, who is a Barbudan, will get an additional 30 acres to the 15 already set aside for the project. When asked if this amount of land being given to one investor was not excessive. he said when compared to other development initiatives it was not an inordinate amount.
“When you look at other projects like Coco Point, K-Club, Haylandale and so forth, you’re talking about 100 plus acres,” he said. “So for 30 acres for a project that started and have shown that they have interest and have put their money where their mouth is, they have really been doing some work, development-wise, in Barbuda.” He said the approximately 45 or 46 acres would be used for condominium-style development. “They’re looking at putting down about 35 condos,” he said. “They’ve indicated that those would be done in stages … phases of five and as they sell they will create jobs. …” He continued, “With the economic crisis as it stands we have to start creating avenues whereby our people can get meaningful employment,” Punter added.
Other projects discussed were K-Club, Palmetto, Dulcina, Codrington Airstrip and the Japanese Fisheries Complex. Regarding the K-Club the chairman noted that there is nothing conclusive about that property as yet. However, he hopes that the council will get more information within the next two weeks before it returns to the people.