VG land distribution no election gimmick – Premier Smith
He was speaking at a press conference in the conference room of the Premier’s Office on Tuesday April 21, 2015.
“In 2013 we put together a committee of people from Virgin Gorda and they are the ones who made the selection. We did that so the process could be completely transparent,” he said, when asked whether the land distribution had anything to do with the upcoming elections.
He said ownership of lands by BVIslanders, especially young people has always been of interest to successive governments.
“For long, Government has played a role in making sure that lands were acquired by BVIslanders in Spooner's, Stevens Lands, and Nibbs Estate in Sea Cows Bay. My Government in following through with its commitment to the people, heard the concerns and loud cries of those in the Virgin Gorda community and in 2013 we immediately put a committee consisting of Virgin Gordians in place to address their concerns to embark on a land distribution scheme to subdivide three sites in North Sound, Virgin Gorda for residential and commercial purposes.
Requirements for land
Premier Smith noted that two of the sites, the Bond and Great Hill are to be subdivided for residential house lots while Bakers Bay has been earmarked for commercial purposes. “Our goal was to establish a transparent and prudent way of distributing the Crown lands in a fair and equitable way. Qualifying persons had to be resident of Virgin Gorda and should not have previously owned property,” he said.
He said the committee submitted a report to Cabinet recommending a list of persons for a grant of Crown land for residential and commercial purposes. He said too that the report consisted of covenants to be included in the residential subdivisions to ensure that the area presents some sort of uniformity and that the development on one property does not affect the value of existing or prospective property owners.
60 approved for land
“I am pleased to report that this Government has approved a total of 60 persons for phase one of this project: 35 persons for Phase one of Great Hill, 8 persons for the Phase one of Bakers Bay and 17 persons for Phase one of The Bond Subdivisions,” he said.
The Premier and Minister of Finance said development in these areas will be carried out in a phased approach and “we endeavour to carry out further subdivisions in the future.”
No begging for land
It was just over a year ago, April 13, 2014 when Ninth District Representative Honourable Ralph T. O'Neal OBE had told Virgin Gordians that they should not be made to beg for land on the island.
He was at the time addressing residents at a community meeting in the North Sound area and was alluding to his recommendation that two persons sit on a Government committee to sort out issues surrounding Crown lands.
Hon O'Neal had said, "we are not begging for anything..." He said persons who have birthright on the island should be given the opportunity to benefit from Crown lands for housing and other development purposes as they may so wish.
He had also said it is not fair that outsiders come and get chunks of lands above locals and expressed his disgust about expatriates purchasing land in the territory and selling them out after they would have reaped massive benefits.
.png)
.png)
.png)
Follow Us On
29 Responses to “VG land distribution no election gimmick – Premier Smith”
didnt you know that was a gimmick? If you dont know, he was right to take your vote
for granted. You and Devon surly was born on the same moon.
Check and see if these recent letters have block and parcel # and use your brains
for once. Ralp obviously got you again. LOL
bull$%^&
This is one thing that needs work in the sustainable development of BVI, a master plan so impressions are maintained, and infrastructure is shared. Please no oversized hotel-wanna be, or mansions. Be sensitive to architectural context. we are losing historical identity, tradition and community. Look at Bermuda which has strict restrictions and maintains a tourist delight of architectural identity. just a thought.
The Primier thinks people are stupid. Everyone know the land issue is an election gimmic. What happen to the three years past? Is this desperation? Who is running the show?
ON ELECTION THE WHOLE 9TH DISTRICT NEED TO SEND A MESSAGE AND VOTE HANNIBAL IN
since 40 year sillyness.
AYO COULD GIVE US ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT FUNDS , WE STILL TAKING AYO %^^& OUT