Former Barbuda Member of Parliament Arthur Nibbs has urged voters to back Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) candidate Kenja Beezer, delivering a sweeping critique of the island's current leadership at a political meeting ahead of the April 30 general election. According to Antigua News Room, Nibbs framed the upcoming vote as a defining moment for Barbuda's future.
"This is a very serious and sober election… make the change and you're going to see this place move by leaps and bounds," Nibbs told supporters. He was unambiguous in his endorsement: "When you go down there on the 30th day of this month, vote no other way but for Kenja Chamberlain Beezer."
Nibbs directed pointed criticism at the current Barbuda Council and the island's parliamentary representation, arguing that key sectors have deteriorated under existing leadership. Healthcare was among his primary concerns. He highlighted the burden placed on residents who must travel to Antigua for basic medical services, and pledged that improved governance could bring more treatment options directly to the island.
"When I see the patients have to go over there for dialysis, I feel it for them… we are going to have our own dialysis unit right here," he said.
Waste management and environmental conditions also featured in his address. Nibbs argued that poor landfill operations have worsened public health outcomes on the island, and said better coordination with national agencies would be necessary to reverse the trend. He further criticized the state of Barbuda's roads, questioning how public funds tied to roadworks have been managed and calling for stronger governance to drive development.
Looking beyond immediate concerns, Nibbs outlined an ambitious economic vision for Barbuda. Central to that vision is the establishment of the island as a port of entry, enabling goods and passengers to arrive directly without routing through Antigua.
"Our government has already passed the law to declare Barbuda a port of entry… what we have to do now is build out the facility," he said, arguing the move would expand commercial activity and generate new opportunities for residents.
Nibbs also pointed to ongoing and planned investments in renewable energy, citing a long-term goal of transitioning Barbuda to fully green energy generation. On tourism and air access, he referenced plans to extend the island's runway to accommodate larger aircraft and attract more direct international flights — a development he said would create jobs and strengthen Barbuda's competitive standing in the region.
"A big plane is going to land and take off right here in Barbuda… more jobs," he said.
Education and workforce development also featured in his remarks. Nibbs encouraged residents to pursue tertiary education, including programmes available through institutions in Antigua, as part of a broader effort to build human capital on the island.
Throughout the meeting, Nibbs returned repeatedly to the theme of generational change, arguing that younger leadership more closely aligned with the central government could unlock years of stalled development.
"A vote for Kenja is a vote for progress… a better life for all the people in Barbuda," he said.
The event formed part of the ABLP's broader campaign effort in Barbuda as the party works to secure the constituency seat in the upcoming general election.
