A number of Barbudans have gone into hiding in order to avoid being evacuated from the island.
They are now being told to come out of their hiding place.
A mandatory evacuation was ordered but police say approximately 15 people hid from the authorities.
Police spokesman Frankie Thomas reported that these persons defied the authorities and hid in secluded areas on the island in order to avoid evacuation.
The 43 military personnel who are now on Barbuda were unable to find the residents who they say need to be safely assisted off the island.
The police are saying that this matter is very serious and a breach of The Emergency Powers Act of Antigua and Barbuda.
Barbuda was hit hard by Hurricane Irma and is said to be uninhabitable because of the lack of proper running water, electricity and any form of communication.
Thomas says evacuation is critical to guard against any major health issues and injuries that would normally be associated with the aftermath of such a devastating hurricane.
Meantime, hundreds of Barbudians are currently stationed in various parts of Antigua. Some are housed at the Multipurpose Cultural Center, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium and the National Technical Training Center.
Some of them are at private homes.
At first was it not voluntary? They love their country and did not want to leave it.
Have pity on them. No matter what, home is home. There’s no place like home.
I hope they are OK.
Leave them people alone , the hurricane is gone so let them be don’t bother them , them eople are survivors you know, them is Island people they ran off them slave masters , them gon survive.
Where can one hide on that tiny island?
Sometimes we have put ourselves in these people positions. it is difficult to leave an area where you have stayed all your lives. You all should just give them some time.
“The police are saying that matter is very serious and a breach of The Emergency Powers Act of Antigua and Barbuda.”
This is a difficult one, especially if the enforced evacuation is any more than for the very short term. At least the villagers of Pette Savanne had a choice in the matter.
Either way, it is human nature to cling tenaciously to “home” regardless of hardships. And it has nothing to do with being materialistic. In terms of mental well-being, I believe that the villagers that stayed, or have since returned to Pette Savanne, are better placed than those who remain evacuated and face the prospect of being permanently evacuated: albeit that they’ll be re-housed in a “model residential urbanized area”.
Roger I agree. These evacuations should by all means be temporary, especially in the case of Petit Savanne where many employed themselves particularly in bay oil production and never depended on others to feed them as in the situation they are now facing. I do believe as part of the arrangement that some people should be allowed to return voluntarily especially to the safe areas.