Barbuda MP Trevor Walker has accused the Antigua and Barbuda Transport Board of bypassing the Barbuda Council and diverting vehicle-licensing revenue that, he says, is constitutionally owed to the island.
Speaking during the Budget Debate, Walker said the Council recently discovered that vehicles operated by PLH were renewing their licenses through the Transport Board in Antigua, instead of in Barbuda where they are legally required to pay. He argued that this practice has deprived the local government of revenue it is entitled to collect.
Walker dismissed reports that PLH had received some form of licensing arrangement or “package” from the Transport Board. “The transport board over here cannot license the vehicle… keep the money in Antigua, license them here… and just send stickers to PLH,” he said, calling the explanation “nonsense.”
He insisted PLH must pay the Barbuda Council for all license renewals: “They must be told they must pay us for renewals. That’s all we’re saying.”
Walker cited Section 24 of the Barbuda Local Government Act, Cap. 44, which is constitutionally entrenched and authorizes the Council to collect taxes and duties for transactions carried out on the island — including vehicle and road traffic licensing.
He said the matter must be corrected immediately, arguing that Barbuda cannot provide services or pay staff without receiving the revenues that the law assigns to it. “I have to collect my money to pay them,” he told the House.
