‘Pure unadulterated nonsense’- Hon Pickering on sale of Prickly Pear Island
In a question asked on the subject by Leader of the Opposition Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) a few weeks ago and answered on Monday October 31, 2016 at the continuation of the Second Sitting of the Second Session of the Third House of Assembly (HoA), Dr Pickering, whose portfolio includes National Parks, dismissed the issue.
"The notion that this government is planning to take away concession rights or to sell the island of Prickly Pear is pure unadulterated nonsense," the Deputy Premier told the HoA.
Dr Pickering, who has been accused by some, according to him, of giving away lands to whites, explained that the National Parks Trust (NPT) entered into a license agreement with a concessionaire from December 1, 2010 for an initial period of ten years, with an option to renew for an additional ten years. He said the concessionaire can get the additional ten years, “if there are no breaches to the agreement.”
Loophole to get out?
When further pressed by the Leader of the Opposition, Hon Fraser, in a follow up question whether the NPT knew Dr Pickering’s position; he replied, “the government has no intentions to interfere in the relationship between the National Parks Trust and the concessionaire….”
Many residents interpret this as a loophole answer, suggesting that if the NPT pulls the lease from the vendor Government will not get involved to block the NPT’s decision.
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