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Gov’t seeking to acquire 600 acres of land around TB Lettsome Airport

The Government of the Virgin Islands is now eying some 600 acres of land around the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport located at Beef Island for development purposes. Photo: ASBVI/File
Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) giving his annual First District Report at the Cappoons Bay Recreation Grounds on Saturday, January 11, 2020. Photo: VINO
Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) giving his annual First District Report at the Cappoons Bay Recreation Grounds on Saturday, January 11, 2020. Photo: VINO
Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) interacts with some of his senior constituents following his annual First District Report at the Cappons Bay Recreation Grounds on Saturday, January 11, 2020. Photo: TodmanBay Photography
Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) interacts with some of his senior constituents following his annual First District Report at the Cappons Bay Recreation Grounds on Saturday, January 11, 2020. Photo: TodmanBay Photography
CAPPOONS BAY, Tortola, VI- The Government of the Virgin Islands is now eyeing some 600 acres of land around the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport located at Beef Island for development purposes.

“We are also working with the BVI Airports Authority to get back 600 plus acres of land in Beef Island for this Territory so that we can develop those lands which will also provide additional income and opportunities for the Territory,” Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) stated on Saturday, January 11, 2020, while giving his yearly First District Report at the Cappoons Bay Recreation Grounds.

According to the Premier, the Virgin Islands has to unleash the potential of the VI and wake up the “sleeping giant”.

The Leader of Government Business had on December 20, 2019, following the landing of the largest commercial plane to the Territory- Titan Airways Airbus a318- at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island, mentioned of plans to acquire more land around the airport for necessary development.

“We are also looking to see how the BVI Airports Authority can also get to acquire more land around the airport for future use, because you can’t think for now you have to think for the future,” the Premier had told Government Information Service (GIS).

Pregnant with ideas

Speaking on Saturday, Hon Fahie said his administration is somewhat bursting at the seams with ideas to develop the Territory.

“We must realign our national strategy with our natural resources and maximise our earnings from our efforts while of course, protecting all of our resources for future generations. So you can see that this government is pregnant with ideas,” he remarked.

“VI’s tourism economy remains strong and vibrant and is performing above expectations [and] has the potential for tremendous growth and with hard work can offset the drop in financial services revenue. But this is not enough; we must diversify so we must cast a wider net.”

Additionally, Hon Fahie reiterated that the Virgin Islands is trying to lure even more airlines to the Territory.

“While we are having discussions on lengthening the runway at Beef Island, which is a must, your government at the same time is asking airlines to add us to their routes. What is happening is that airlines that previously overlooked the BVI because they were not sure if our infrastructure could accommodate their aircraft are now rethinking their position.

“With faith in God, we are optimistic that things will work out and the troubles that our residents and our visitors have with airlift will soon be a thing of the past.”

14 Responses to “Gov’t seeking to acquire 600 acres of land around TB Lettsome Airport”

  • Anonymous (13/01/2020, 07:55) Like (12) Dislike (6) Reply
    Now here is a government serious about development
  • lodger (13/01/2020, 08:02) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Land holders will hold them to ransom like they did the last time the airport was expanded.
    • Government.. (13/01/2020, 14:07) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      ..has powers of compulsory purchase at a market rate and should use it
  • HMMM (13/01/2020, 09:09) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    In government hands???? DEAD LAND!!!!!!!!
    • Not Government (13/01/2020, 10:14) Like (25) Dislike (3) Reply
      I remember NDP had investors wanted to build a 5 star hotel up on those lands. 50 yrs lease. That was such a great idea. The East end people as usual kick up against it... These people will kick up against every and any thing... My reason for saying it was such a good idea is that any New or potential business that's going to hire our young people. Worth it... Also when investors spending 100 plus million it's upon them to get people to their business... I'm sure they had a plan for that. I prefer credible private investors developing those lands
      • @ not goverment (13/01/2020, 18:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        NDP tell too much lies and they are too corrupt they are like fake news; VIP keep us safe and stable
  • .... (13/01/2020, 09:24) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    wonder under which government the lands were sold..most person has already started to develop...I see this as another loan the people of the Virgin Islands has to pay
  • BS! (13/01/2020, 09:37) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
    I just hate to hear this - “While we are having discussions on lengthening the runway at Beef Island, which is a must..." A must? that is far from proven and there are many other options and problems to be considered before that runway gets lengthened.
  • Street reporter (13/01/2020, 10:07) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    All that he said is good... First things first... How long they have that big lot at Port Purcell just after stone heaven for the development of more government spaces... Getting that done should be priority one. Cutting down on government property rental bill is another means of income.. more money stays in the treasury. More to use for development... How nice the BVI will look with a a new state of the art well designed 4 storage building. At the top you have a massive sign saying.. "BRITISH VIRGIN ISLAND GOVERNMENT"
  • Really (13/01/2020, 14:09) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    How about we finish some other government 'projects' before we start buying land we don't know what for yet... cough cough .... like prospect reef ..... west end ferry dock ...... schools ...... basic infrastructure

    How about developing some historical sites for tourism...
  • yoyo (13/01/2020, 17:00) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good vision but first lay proper road and drainage system from airport to Road Town
  • old (13/01/2020, 19:05) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Road road .We need to fixed the road please it time
  • Edward (18/01/2020, 10:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why not get Prospect Reef up and going before trying to take on another project!


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