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Saturday, 19 May 2012 02:30
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By Alex Holder
Antigua St John's - The issue of guaranteed public access to all beaches in Antigua and Barbuda must be one of topical concern for all residents of the country, and no form of compromise should disenfranchise the people,
Said Minister of Lands Chanlah Codrington, who has taken a somewhat radical position on the subject. Codrington said he is not prepared to give in or compromise on what is clearly setting the stage for violations of the law.
Speaking with Caribarena.com on Friday after a meeting with the prime minister and Minister of Agriculture Hilson Baptiste, Codrington said that while he agrees that development is paramount to the progress of the country, it must not be allowed to infringe of the basic rights of the people.
The minister of state disclosed that while the PM and the agriculture minister appear to be on the same page with him when it comes to the people’s rights, they have asked that something of a compromise be conjured Codrington's part so that his approach does not hamper the developmental aspect of the country’s advancement.
He said the meeting discussed aspects of the laws that deal with the subject, and attempted to “strike a balance” between the two so that the residents and the developer could evenly benefit.
Codrington said the two issues (access and development) are very separate ones since the developers must deliver a project in keeping with the laws of the land. These laws make it clear that all beaches must have an access point that is open to the public.
According to the MP, "They are just trying to seek means and ways that they can resolve the adamant position that I am taking... I maintain still that the law says no restriction should be placed on the public beach."
He added, “It was a meeting of the minds, (but) I am adamant that I don’t want anybody blocking our beaches. That is what the law says... that is what the people demands and there is no less expectation.”
The issue of sand mining is also of concern for Codrington, who believes that such a crime could be happening behind the gates of a closed beach.
The minister recalled being denied access to a beach near a hotel on the southeastern end of Antigua. He said he was barred from the beach on the grounds that its “opening hours” had expired.
Codrington believes that a precedent is in the making as far as beaches close to hotels and without addresses, and such a practice could get out of hand, at the expense of the public.
“I cannot be lent on my position. I do not want anything put across the beach," he said. "Nobody should tell me when I can or cannot go to my beach; I should be able to go 24 hours a day. That is my position.”
He said he would continue on his mission to remove all illegally erected gates and fences blocking public access to beaches until they have all been removed and the notion of it becoming a norm is eradicated from the minds of developers.
“There are others that I understand are infringing and I am going to deal with them one by one," the MP said. "They are violating the laws and I will not rescind and I will not give in or compromise."
See related stories:
Gate Removal Sparks Controversy
25 Comments In This Article
cause
This is an old issue and I believe the minister acted with the best of intentions - everbody know the amount of sand they theif!
justin
RE: Chanlah Will Not Compromise on Beaches
..
tenman
@ Tenman
SlyThatGuy
JW
..
tenman
Public access
And while your in the south, there is a chain barrier blocking my entrance to the beach where the Nest Restaurant is located just west of Valley. Go and knock it down so we all can have access to that beach as well!
JW
SlyThatGuy
..
tenman
RE: Chanlah Will Not Compromise on Beaches
SlyThatGuy
Bert,Ernie& Oscar the grouch.
ANTIGUAN WOMAN
Woods
ABC
don't break the law
skyewill
RE: Chanlah Will Not Compromise on Beaches
north coast
Developers not telling the truth
Common Cents
Beyond closed gates
Did it ever cross your mind that stopping the illegal sand mining may actually have a hidden agenda? The erection of the fence with a closed gate would allow the developers to do the very same thing without fear of prying eyes. This is a really convenient way of conserving all sands in the area for their use only. The secret 'agreement' or arrangement made with Bro B and Southwell was made behind the very same barriers, and would have remained a secret, if it were not for the intervention of Chanlah Codrington.
Dax Rebel
Kudos to Chanlah
Common Cents
RE: Chanlah Will Not Compromise on Beaches
AnotherDay
RE: Chanlah Will Not Compromise on Beaches
beach belong we
RE: Chanlah Will Not Compromise on Beaches
the truth
Finally!!!!
marco polo
RE: Chanlah Will Not Compromise on Beaches
AntiguanYouthman
Shot sighted
National parks. No local or foreign investment should have exclusive
rights to to our beaches, to exclude citizens. The idea a hotel must be built
at the beach is a myth sold to the people by shady position with their
hand out looking for kickbacks. They can setup their property away from
the beach, then we can assigned areas for them to takecare of their guest.
Have you guys ever seen how it is done on Miami, fort lauderdale and palm
beach beaches - guys sell a product, don't give the store away.
Robinhood
EVIDENCE OF SELL OUT
Read more: http://www.caribarena.com/antigua/news/latest/100562-chanlah-will-not-compromise-on-beaches.html#ixzz1vJS54xWA
BEEF
they made an oath to uphold the law
Quote:..
tenman
RE: Chanlah Will Not Compromise on Beaches
Sir Birdbrain
RE: Chanlah Will Not Compromise on Beaches
Hope you like that pond water and widdly widdley bush !!!!!
Sir Birdbrain
RE: Chanlah Will Not Compromise on Beaches
I fully intend to go and camp on all of the beaches at Mill Reef Club this year and who wish to oppose me can kiss my ass!
woods
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