Prime Minister Gaston Browne has pushed back against Barbuda MP Trevor Walker’s criticism of the government’s environmental policies, pointing to Barbuda’s long history of sand mining under Walker’s leadership as evidence that he lacks moral authority to make such claims.
Speaking in Parliament, Browne dismissed Walker’s allegations that dredging activities in North Sound were causing environmental damage, labeling them as misinformation. He argued that Walker has consistently misled the public, particularly on environmental issues, and called attention to the ecological damage caused by decades of sand mining in Barbuda.
“The Member for Barbuda has a propensity to deceive, and he does so unconscionably,” Browne stated. “He speaks with such authority that you would believe he is standing on the truth, when in fact, he has presided over the absolute degradation of the environment in Barbuda through sand mining.”
Browne contended that the destruction of Barbuda’s sand dunes, which occurred under the Barbuda People’s Movement (BPM)-led council, contributed to the island’s severe flooding during Hurricane Irma in 2017. He explained that the government has since taken steps to restore Barbuda’s coastline by implementing nature-based solutions, such as sand dune reconstruction using geomatting, to protect against storm surges.
Turning to Walker’s criticism of dredging in North Sound, Browne maintained that the activity is necessary for economic development and does not harm marine ecosystems. He provided historical context, noting that the channel in question has been dredged for decades, including by the Americans, who used the dredged material to create Maiden Island.
“There was no seagrass in that area,” Browne asserted. “You can see the dredged spoils offshore—rocks and sand—not seagrass. So, for the Member for Barbuda to claim that we are destroying the environment is completely false.”
Browne further emphasized Antigua and Barbuda’s leadership in climate action on the international stage, pointing to the nation’s involvement in legal actions against major polluters, its contributions to global climate negotiations, and its role in advancing the Multi-Dimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) at the United Nations.
“No other administration has done more for climate sustainability than mine,” he declared. “For anyone to suggest that we are environmentally irresponsible is baseless.”
Browne concluded by urging Walker to be more responsible in his public statements, stating that misleading the people of Antigua and Barbuda on environmental matters is unacceptable.
“If you have nothing constructive to contribute, just keep quiet,” he said. “Don’t come into this honorable house and spread misinformation.”
