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Paraquita Bay farmland squatters ‘have to be removed’- Premier

- said all users of farmland @ Paraquita Bay will be put on a standard lease under strict conditions
The flatland at Paraquita Bay was intended for agricultural purposes; however, persons have resorted to building permanent structures, including homes. Photo: VINO
Persons who are utilising land at Paraquita Bay other than for agricultural purposes will be removed, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has said. Photo: VINO
Persons who are utilising land at Paraquita Bay other than for agricultural purposes will be removed, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has said. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Persons who are utilising land at Paraquita Bay other than for agricultural purposes will be removed, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has said.

“They have to be removed, absolutely,” Premier Wheatley stated when questioned on the issue at a press conference today, January 23, 2023.

The flatland at Paraquita Bay was intended for agricultural purposes; however, persons have been building permanent structures, including homes.

Standard leases

According to Dr Wheatley, some months ago a committee was put in place to manage the lands at Paraquita Bay.

“And one of the tasks I gave them was being able to come up with standard leases. For everybody who on Paraquita Bay, and everybody who has a standard lease for land they have to adhere to the conditions to that lease.

‘No squatting will be tolerated’- Premier

“And one of those conditions is that it has to be used for agricultural purposes. No squatting, whatsoever, will be tolerated.”

The Premier, who has the portfolio for Agriculture, said the process; however, has gone a lot slower than he would have liked.

“And the PS is here and she can tell you oftentimes I am pulling out hair, hair that I don’t have, wondering why it can’t go more quickly."

He said he was, nevertheless, satisfied that Government is moving in the right direction regarding the issue of misuse of farmlands at Paraquita Bay.

“We had a meeting, I think it was about two weeks ago, and they updated me on their progress and I made it clear under no uncertain terms that I need that standard lease and I need everybody who is on Paraquita Bay to be on a lease.

“Because we have to be accountable how we use the precious resource of land, especially given the fact that we have a scarcity of flatland in the Virgin Islands and food security is a priority for us,” Premier Wheatley stated.

17 Responses to “Paraquita Bay farmland squatters ‘have to be removed’- Premier”

  • pure old talk (23/01/2023, 17:00) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    Nothing will be done, TRUST ME!
    • NezRez (24/01/2023, 08:35) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      Bring back Agriculture Week the way it used to be! We were so proud of that and look who was allowed to destroy it.
  • YEAH RITE (23/01/2023, 17:04) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
    PUT THEM NIGGARS IN THE MANGROVES , AND BRING ON THE HOLY WEED / WE WON'T NEED NO AGRICULTURE ANYMORE , ( WEED IS IT ) , AS WE STEP OUT INTO THE FUTURE ALL WE NEED IS THE WEED . / AND IMPORT ALL OUR VEGETABLES , MEAT , FISH ECT THATS FULL OF ,
    ( GMO ) AND SINCE WE GO BE HIGH ON WEED OUR HEALTH WON'T MATTER , WE ALREADY GOT THE INCINERATOR DOING ITS OWN THING IN THE WEST , SO WHAT THE HECK , AT LEAST WE WILL ALL DIE WITH A HAPPY SMILE ON OUR FACES ☺ STONED TO THE BONE YARD
  • Greg (23/01/2023, 18:02) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    So the farmer who built a house in the hills on their farm years ago will still be allowed to stay? This farmer for donkey years has been telling them they cannot move them, ad they were using this shack to house them and their so-called loved one. Meanwhile, they own a big house of their own on their property. SMDH. Some people act as though they own the land in Paraquita bay instead of just being farmers. We all know who this is.
  • farmer (23/01/2023, 19:37) Like (7) Dislike (9) Reply
    This is my last time saying , give me water to do my farming!!!!! I told you this 3 times & no progress .. you just having Theodore James driving up and down in the new gov Jeep & not helping us who is really into the farming!
    • @farmer (24/01/2023, 07:49) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
      Just wondering, why don’t you get your own water? Nobody gives me electric to light my store. Nobody gives me trucks to collect my goods from the port….
      Am I missing something?
  • flUffy (23/01/2023, 20:18) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    Honourable Premier!! How are you going to get the "" CHAMPION FARMER" OUT OF PARAQUITA BAY HILL???? STRUPES..YOU KNOW THAT AINT GOING HAPPEN.....This issue didnt just come up...So yoi better do a lease to collect HOUSE RENT TOO????????
  • pure lip service (23/01/2023, 22:15) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    They won’t be moving a soul. Empty talk. Grandstanding.
  • pure lip service (23/01/2023, 22:16) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    They don’t have the Will, courage, guts nor Balllsz.
  • herbs power (23/01/2023, 22:39) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    The only farming we need is election so we could plant new seeds.
  • musa (23/01/2023, 22:45) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    If you need to see real farmers bring your produce to the agricultural board before selling
  • Really (24/01/2023, 01:16) Like (0) Dislike (6) Reply
    All these dumb comments now wonder why Klaus Schwab calls you all useless eaters. Did the Almighty Father only give the elites the land NO dummies it's was stolen from the devil puppets/elites. You all need to wake Up you are supposed to wake up and live free no bills to pay with the root of all evil which is money. I really feel like it don't have much a wake and smart people around. No one think about all these drama. This sodomite Wheatley is really bringing shame to the BVI. We are all supposed to be squatters because it's OUR land even the evil puppets but they used their brains to trick you and dumb you all down. I used to think people was smart but the mRNA COVID 19 biotech weapon vaccine proves you all are dumb. How many of you on shot 4 Wow pure junkies,you all keep rolling up your sleeves for the liquid heroin you might as well call it that because you all are hooked to drugs
  • boy O Boy (24/01/2023, 04:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    Det of $k@#%homes. It's a revenue stream and the country needs money. All yall cheap r@$$ who got like pay tax

  • Why (24/01/2023, 10:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    @YEAH RITE and REALLY; Ignorants (lacking knowledge and awareness)
  • Only in the BVI (24/01/2023, 16:18) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    There are squatters ALL over the BVI on people land. Building shacks everywhere. The BVI don't have real leadership and will never have real leadership.
  • RedStorm (25/01/2023, 19:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I don’t know why this is even on the news. I believe it I’ll be until election or Agriculture Day, then we will see the changes. If that lease state that the government will provide water each day, paved access road and electricity, them I believe the farms need to sign that 99 year lease.


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