Walker Rejects Consultant’s ‘Pit Latrines’ Claim, Says Barbuda Received No Benefits From Project Linked to It
Barbuda MP Trevor Walker has pushed back sharply against a claim made by a consultant during a recent poverty-assessment consultation, saying it falsely suggested that pit latrines remain a problem on the island and may have been used to justify funding for a project that delivered nothing to Barbuda.
Walker told Parliament that he was present when the consultant referenced pit latrines as part of the assessment discussion. He said he immediately challenged the statement. “When the lady came… and she’s talking to us about pit latrines… I said, whoever told you that Barbuda have pit latrines and it’s a problem, then go back and tell them that they’re fresh and forward,” he said.
Walker questioned whether the claim was tied to efforts to secure funding for a solar-energy and water-system project that was expected to benefit both islands. He stressed that if Barbuda’s name was used as part of the justification, the island should have seen results. “Was this something said to access the funds? If that is the case… it should not have been directed to Barbuda,” he said.
Despite Barbuda having seven to eight churches that were eligible under the project’s criteria, Walker said not a single building received assistance. “Not one church… has accessed anything from this point. Not one system was built or repaired,” he told MPs, adding that the outcome raises concerns about fairness in how project resources were distributed.
He reiterated that his criticism was aimed at the consultant’s remarks, not the Department of Environment. “I’m not saying that the Department of Environment said it… I’m saying what the consultant said,” he said.
Walker said the narrative of pit latrines being a current issue in Barbuda is inaccurate and disrespectful, adding that any use of such claims to support project proposals must be addressed.
