Meanwhile Bequians who need land are unable to get any. Very few can afford the Government’s discounted price of $14.00 per square foot which works out to over $300,000 for a half acre lot.
Where is the land the Prime Minister promised to Bequians? Not one piece has been sold at an affordable price since the PAAB received the PM’s promise on July 31st, 2006. He said all 223 families on the waiting list would get land; but who has got?
Bequia roads are neglected for months, years now. But somehow huge and beautiful roads are being built at Crown Point and at Friendship Heights so that foreigners can get in, the better to grab up the lots. These roads are not through roads to anywhere but private, circular roads around the land for sale so that you come out the way you went in. No doubt this is re-assuring for potential buyers who want privacy and security, in effect, a gated community.
The People’s Action Alliance will continue to fight this abdication of the lands of our fathers for the sake of cash. This is about far more than land. This is about the survival of a community. The executive committee of the PAAB re-affirms its mission - to work for the social, economic and spiritual well-being of the people of Bequia. We thank the great number of persons, both here and abroad, who have given us support in the past year. May God be with us all as we head into our second year!
Peoples Action Alliance of Bequia Press Release #17 The People’s Action Alliance is celebrating one year of existence, one year since the meeting of June 6th, 2006 when hundreds of shocked Bequians met to discuss the wholesale turnover of ALL of Bequia’s crown lands to one company, the Airport Development Company. This company, through National Properties, is selling off every bit of available Government land in Bequia, almost entirely to foreigners, most of whom have no desire to live here – it’s just a way to cash-in on the misfortune of the people of Bequia , a shameless feeding frenzy, in the hope of future profit.
home@peoplesactionbequia .com www.peoplesactionbequia.com PO Box 191 , Bequia Director of Planning, Laura Anthony Brown, 19 June, 2007 Central Planning Office, Kingstown Dear Ms. Anthony Brown, A meeting was held in Bequia by Central Planning on the 21 st May to discuss the Plan for 2020 proposed by Government. Although the publicity for this meeting was minimal, and we were not as an organization invited, we have since heard what transpired from two of our members who were personally asked to say a few words. One of the issues brought forward time and again by citizens at the meeting was the one which brought about the birth of our organization – the land crisis. At present there is no way for ordinary people to purchase house plots, nor is any government land to be set aside for a community centre, a cemetery, a national park or any other government project, now or any time in the future. This is a huge failure of planning. As a citizens' nonpolitical organization the Peoples' Action Alliance of Bequia had proposed almost a year ago at a meeting with the Prime Minister, (31 st July, 2006), that a plan was required for the whole of Bequia. He agreed and we still look forward to this plan. We also support the development of a National Plan. We therefore submit to you the following recommendations for the new National Plan: 1. A Bequia National Park similar to the Vermont Nature Trail for the preservation of this small island's fragile ecosystem. The 600 acres at Park, formerly owned by Government but recently turned over to the International Airport Development Corporation, is perhaps the only feasible location. 2. The offering of small house lots at reasonable prices to those Bequians who are unable to pay either the tourist prices which are currently being asked for private land, nor the ‘special' price of EC$14 per square foot offered on Government land which, since the lots are large, means an outlay of $300,000 or more. Even a plot of 6000 square feet would cost $84,000 and no plots this size or smaller are presently available. 3. A Sub-Plan within the National Plan for Bequia , as well as for each of the islands of the Grenadines . These islands are truly different from the Mainland. Their small size and their difficulty of access mean that the ecology is much more fragile. The economy also is different. Without agricultural potential, without many civil service or professional opportunities, Bequians must depend on the sea or on tourism in order to survive. The three features above are essential to any worthy national plan if Bequia is to be a part of it. We ask you to ensure that they are duly incorporated into the plan for 2020. Yours truly, chairpersons Rocky McIntosh, Pat Mitchell
Press Release #16 Bequia Crown Lands Up-date 20 March, 2007 When the PAAB met with the Prime Minister on the 31 st of March, 2006 , he assured the committee that all 223 Bequia persons who had applied for land from Government up to then would be able to purchase 6000 square feet at around EC$3.00 per square foot. This has not happened . The PAAB has written to Herman Belmar, the Government's representative on the island, to ask how many lots have been sold to locals. He replied that he could not divulge this information and suggested writing to the Minister of Lands. Is the PAAB to infer that this information is secret? If so why? The PAAB has written to the Minister of Lands, the Hon. Julian Francis, and is currently awaiting a reply. Meanwhile National Properties continues to survey and sell off lots to foreigners both at Crown Point which is between Spring and Industry Bays , and at Friendship Heights which is above Friendship Bay . Government, through their company, The National Properties, is selling lots at US$6.50 per square foot. Locals are being offered this land at a special price of EC$14.00 per square foot. The problem is that very few Bequians will be able to afford the $309,000 required for a half acre lot. As a result all of this land will be sold either to foreigners or possibly to a few well-off Vincentians who hope to speculate on it. The Peoples' Action Alliance of Bequia continues to fight for the ordinary people of Bequia against this Government policy of selling-off ALL of the crown land on the island - a policy which is irreversible and which the organization fears will cause huge problems in the future. When all the land is sold how will new schools, national parks, recreational areas or even a new cemetery be built? How will the families of Bequia secure land for their children? Does anyone care?
Press Release #15 October 17, 2006 The People's Action Alliance of Bequia has received information that the International Airport Development Company (new owner of all of Bequia's Crown Lands) is considering mortgaging a whole or part of Park Estate in Bequia in order to raise the funds to acquire the Argyle properties. This would explain the new survey marks which were seen during the People's Nature Walk to Bequia Head on Sunday, October 8 th . If this land is mortgaged to a foreign bank this will be an instance of the transfer of a large segment of the actual landmass of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to a foreign entity. The People's Action Alliance is vehemently against the sale, lease or mortgage of large tracts of our country into the hands of forces over which we have no control. Should the IADC default on payment of the mortgage, the bank would be entitled to sell it off to the highest bidder with very little hope of intervention from a Government that is itself searching everywhere to raise money. Some of the acre and half-acre lots at Crown Point in Bequia have been sold, according to Mr. Harold Duggan of the National Properties Company. All twelve lots at Crown Point #1 and five out of 21 lots at Crown Point #2 are sold. Mr. Duggan says that Crown Point #3 is offering smaller lots of 10,000 square feet which it is hoped will be of interest to local buyers. At $14.00 per square foot that remains to be seen. The PAAB has not been able discover any person in Bequia who has been allocated one of the 6000 square foot house spots in spite of the fact that Government promised that all 223 persons who applied will be offered land.
Dozens of Bequia Residents, as young as 8 years and as old as 68, got out their walking shoes for a nature hike on 8 th October to Man Point, at the most northerly tip of the island, also known as Bequia Head. The Committee of the People's Action Alliance had invited the public to join them for some healthy exercise and a chance to inspect, first hand, the natural beauty of Park. Fine weather allowed striking views of Battowia and Balliceaux and ultimately St. Vincent , as well as close-up inspection of soldier crabs, wild mushrooms, tree orchids, and bromeliads. Bay trees, known locally as cinnamon, line the trail -a quick fold of the leaf releases a delicious herbal scent. There was evidence that land surveyors had been at work within the last week judging from red-ribboned metal markers in the ground, and cut traces in the bush. The Committee is trying to discover from the National Properties, and the Department of Surveys, the current status of these lands in keeping with the Government's promise of transparency, but without much success thus far. The committee recommends that most of this land be kept as a nature reserve and recreational area, and finds it incomprehensible that as much as 600 acres should be sold to one individual thus cutting off forever the freedom of Vincentians to enjoy its natural beauty. There are already web-sites online advertising areas for sale in Bequia as ‘gated' communities, a concept which the committee finds worrying. The People's Action Alliance is most anxious to see the Plan of Bequia that was promised by the Prime Minister at their meeting with him on 31st July. The PAAB believes it absolutely essential to have a plan for the whole island before making any major land decisions which will affect Bequia and the country forever.
Press release #12 19 September, 2006 The People's Action Alliance Committee gets the stamp of Approval On Thursday evening, 14th September, a crowd of interested citizens overwhelmingly endorsed the actions of the Committee of the People's Action Alliance who have been working for the past three months to stop the Government's mass sale of Bequia's Crown Lands. Garfield Gurley explained the committee's efforts to secure assurances from the Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, that some of the Crown Lands would be kept for future generations of working class people who would never be able to afford tourist prices. Although welcoming the Government's promise that land will be found for all 223 persons who have applied up to now, the Bequia secondary school teacher pointed out that nothing at all was said about needs for the future. Committee member Avell Davis spoke with fervour about the impossibility of Bequia people buying land at $14 per square foot. He questioned the $7.00 per square foot that is being paid out of that, according to Government, to the developer - for roads, underground wiring, cable etc. pointing out that all this would not be necessary for a local person and that many pieces of Crown Land already have roads. Another member of the Committee, Diana Burgin, asked whether it was the business of Government in any case to be selling land for profit. Joan Davis, treasurer of the PAAB, outlined the Alliance's financial situation and gratefully received the generous donations of the audience. Co-chairperson Pat Mitchell spoke about Park Beach and Estate and the committee's considerable worry that 400 to 600 acres of land could easily slip out of the control of the country. No Bequia tourist development, she contended, should require more than 20 to 40 acres. The audience enthusiastically put forward their ideas about meeting with the Minister of Lands, and also mentioned their reservations about "gated" communities of rich foreigners. The committee of the People's Action Alliance of Bequia invited further volunteers to join them in this important battle. A similar town hall meeting will be held in the village of Paget Farm, on Saturday, 30th September, at 6.00 pm to take the message of this imminent disaster to the people on the south side of the island and to ask their support and advice. People's Action Alliance of Bequia Press Release #11, to all media, 8 September, 2006
The People's Action Alliance of Bequia was established on 6 th June as a non-partisan advocacy group in response to the shocking discovery on the internet that all of Bequia's Crown Lands are being sold at high prices. A petition against this sale was signed by 1502 persons and now resides in the safe-keeping of the Governor General, His Excellency, Sir Frederick Ballantyne. There is, therefore, no doubt whatsoever about how the people feel on this issue. In an attempt to discredit the PAAB the Government is painting the group as a political organization out to attack the ULP. The Government's appointed representative in Bequia, Herman Belmar, openly displayed this behaviour on the Government's TV programme of 7 th September. He there shamelessly put forward the following: Lie #1. That the PAAB wants to put the garbage facility in Paget Farm. The PAAB has never said where the garbage should go nor does it consider itself the right body to decide such a question. Lie #2. That the PAAB is against a low-cost housing scheme in Paget Farm. The PAAB is in favour of whatever housing arrangements will make the people of Bequia happy. The PAAB, when the Prime Minister suggested a housing scheme at their meeting with him on July 31 st, did ask if that is what Bequia people want. If the government ascertains that it is, then the PAAB can only ask, how soon will it start? Lie #3 That the PAAB is against a tourist development at Adams Bay in Paget Farm. The PAAB has stated over and over again that it is in favour of well-planned tourist development. Press release #10 of September 5, for example, says, “The PAAB would welcome a new hotel on the island.” The PAAB wrote to the National Properties Co. on June 19 th asking whether land at Paget Farm has been sold. No answer has been received up to now - this in spite of the so-called “transparency” which is constantly being claimed by the government. The PAAB would like to suggest to Mr. Belmar that he consult the PAAB to discover accurately their position before his next TV appearance, or refer to their internet site www.peoplesactionbequia.com . Mr. Belmar refrained from attending the first meeting on June 6 th , though invited personally. Nor has he made contact with the PAAB to arrange to meet in spite of the Prime Minister's suggestion that groups should work together.
People's Action Alliance of Bequia Email: home@peoplesactionbequia.com The PAAB Uneasy with Plans for Park Beach and Estate. The People's Action Alliance of Bequia was surprised to hear the Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, in his press conference of September 4 th , outline a plan to retain 200 acres of Park as a nature reserve while offering 400 acres to a developer such as a 5-star hotel. On 31 st July at his meeting with delegates of PAAB the Prime Minister did say that “a significant part of that area should be kept for the environment”, but did not make it clear that this would be land not sold, but retained by Government. He also stated on 31 st July that his plan was to lease Park to a developer, not sell it. The retention of land in ownership of the state, for the use of citizens and visitors as an environmental area, is commended by the Peoples Action Alliance. However if this is to be just a buffer zone for the forfeit of 400 acres to a foreign party for a “development” the PAAB is in total disagreement. No development in Bequia, 5 star or otherwise, requires that amount of land. The Sunny Caribbee/Plantation House in Bequia is on 17 acres of land. The PAAB is in favour of well-planned tourist development in keeping with the size and nature of Bequia and would welcome a new hotel on the island. Neither Mustique nor Canouan, however, should be used as models for Bequia which has its own unique character and history. The PAAB asked the Prime Minister at the meeting of 31 st July if there was a plan for Bequia. His answer was that there were sketches of a plan and that these would be “further elaborated” in due course. The PAAB looks forward to the publication of this plan.
Contacts, Rocky McIntosh 4583323 Garfield Gurley 455 3008 Bequia Land Petition presented to Governor General His Excellency, the Governor General, Sir Frederick Ballantyne, met with a delegation from the People's Action Alliance of Bequia at Government House, on Wednesday, 9 th August, for discussions on the Crown Lands issue. Rocky McIntosh, Pat Mitchell, Diana Burgin, and Herbert Raguette were pleased to talk frankly to the Governor General about their concerns. The discussion ranged from a map which they showed him, dated 1763, which makes provision for lands for poor settlers, to the situation of the sky-rocketing prices of land today. The Peoples Action Alliance presented The Governor General with the original copy of their People's Petition against the Sale of All of Bequia's Crown Lands, for his safekeeping. He noted the signatures inscribed therein, which, as he saw, number one thousand, five hundred and two (1502). The delegation explained that more signatures are being collected all the time including a substantial number on the internet where supporters in the Vincentian Diaspora have been moved to post a separate petition on-line. The delegation thanked His Excellency for this splendid opportunity to meet with him.
People's Action Alliance of Bequia Press Release #8 Contact persons, Rocky McIntosh 4583323, Pat Mitchell, 4583800 The People's Action Alliance declares their Meeting with Prime Minister Gonsalves Very Worrying The People's Action Alliance was pleased to meet with Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves on 31 st July in The Ministerial Building, Kingstown , to discuss the Bequia Crown Lands Issue. In the one hour which he allocated to the nine delegates who had crossed the Bequia channel for the meeting, the Prime Minister gave the assurance that the 223 persons on the waiting list for small (6000 square ft.) lots will be offered a house-spot. He failed however to explain where the children of these persons will be able to live once all the Crown Land is sold, assuming that some of them may have more than one child. Nor did he give the committee the price per square foot for this land which previously has sold for EC$3.50 per square foot. Of the larger lots of Crown Land being sold on the internet at $18.00 per square foot the Prime Minister still seems to think that some Bequia People can afford to buy this land at the discounted price of $14 per square foot. The committee finds that this is quite unreasonable, that the only “Bequian” who would buy at that price is one with a superior income, probably as a result of a foreign connection. The committee feels strongly that there should be some Crown Land available for Bequians of moderate income who wish more than 6000 square feet but are unable to contemplate the $308,000 which one of these half acres would cost. Even a smaller lot of 10,000 square feet, should some be made available , would be unaffordable for most people at $140,000. When asked if any covenant would be attached to the sale of these lots at Crown Point and elsewhere to foreigners The Prime Minister said no. So any wealthy foreigner is able to buy as many lots as he wishes and do nothing with them for 10 or 20 or 50 years, just waiting for them to appreciate in value like a stock on the stockmarket. This is called land speculation and the PAAB opposes this as being of no value whatsoever to the economy of the island, just tying up the land, in perpetuity. The Prime Minister added that some covenant might be possible and would be considered by his Government, which was welcome news. The most worrying words from the Prime Minister involved the disposal of the 600 acres at Park . He announced that this land would not now be sold but would be leased for 99 years and that he had had several offers. The committee does not find the lease arrangement much more reassuring than the sale of this 15% of the land mass of Bequia. The PAAB opposes either sale or lease which would take away from the people of Bequia, and practically speaking from the whole of the state, one of the most lovely areas of the island if not in the whole of the Grenadines. The Prime Minister would seem to be misinformed about the area as he stated that it is “all rocky” and “mostly difficult”. There is indeed some rock and some steep slopes on the seaside but on the top of the land there are beautiful, almost flat, wooded areas with trails, interesting flora and fauna, and fantastic views to Balicaeau, Battowia, Mustique, St. Vincent and L'Anse de Chemin. Park also has precious historical value. The road from L'Anse de Chemin over to Park Bay (possibly the first road ever on Bequia) is marked on a map dated 1763. Interestingly, Park Bay on this map is called Ance Caribe, with good reason, as all along this beach and behind, are extensive remains of an Amerindian village. Also on the land at Park are the ruins of an indigo factory from early colonial days, a stone fort, and a look-out point used probably from prehistoric times, and more recently by whale-spotters. It is regrettable that the present government seems not to appreciate the value of this land which has been so highly prized over the centuries by the inhabitants. This huge area which extends also onto the adjoining Industry estate (gracefully sloping forested land) is now being offered as one purchase on the internet for sale at the low price of $100,000 per acre which works out at US$2.27 per square foot. The PAAB is against this giveaway, but also against its sale at any price. This part of our patrimony they feel is priceless embodying the people's heritage, a nature reserve, breathing space, and land for future generations to inherit. Although a tourist development of ten or twenty acres has not as yet been ruled out by the PAAB, the sale of all 600 acres to one buyer is an abomination which the PAAB will fight with everything in its power to prevent. The matter will soon be taken to the people of Bequia in a public meeting to determine their wishes.
Press Release #7 The People's Action Alliance would like to submit, up front, our reservations about the format of the meeting of July 31 st with the Prime Minister. We had been eagerly looking forward to a serious and frank dialogue with the Prime Minister on a one-to-one basis. It appears that we now have quite a different kind of gathering. We question whether the Prime Minister, cushioned as he is by so many government companies, civil servants, personal supporters, and all of the press, will really be able to engage us in useful discussion. The People's Action Alliance fully supports the idea of an open meeting to discuss the land problem. But we submit that the place to have that is in Bequia where Bequia residents may freely attend. We are happy to work with the Prime Minister's Office to arrange this at any time convenient to him. In the meantime, we trust that the Prime Minister will assist us in keeping the focus of today's meeting on his dialogue with us about the Bequia Crown Lands Issue. People's Action Alliance of Bequia PO Box 12 , 784 458 3323 mcintoshkenneth@yahoo.com Meeting with Prime Minister, 31 st July, 2006 We thank you, Hon. Prime Minister, for meeting with us today. We bring with us a message of deep concern from the people of Bequia. For the past two months, since discovering the sale of these lands on the internet, we have tried to get information from Government on what is going on. The people of Bequia feel that they have a right to know a) what is happening on their island, b) that their needs and wishes are being taken into account, and c) that the island they know and love is not about to suffer irretrievable damage. Until the government's plans are made public and are found to be acceptable to the majority of Bequia people we are asking government to call a moratorium on the sale of Bequia Crown Lands. The People's Action Alliance of Bequia represents the vast majority of the residents of the island. We are not aware of any Bequia residents who are in favour of this mass sale. Anyone who believes otherwise has not done their research. Our petition against the sale has already secured 1500 names. The People's Action Alliance, therefore, invites The Prime Minister, on behalf of the people of Bequia, to explain in person to the residents of Bequia this new policy of Government . Up to now no government spokesman has done so. The People's Action Alliance of Bequia is calling for a development plan. Our group is in favour of direct foreign investment in tourism projects which will provide employment, and uplift our people. But when choosing projects the concerns of a small island differ from those of larger entities, and need to be addressed in a particular way. Our ecosystem is more fragile - plants and animals are more apt to become extinct. Over-development or the wrong kind of development can actually backfire and end up turning away visitors. And the lives of the residents of a small island are very vulnerable to sweeping changes as there are fewer choices than on the Mainland – there is the worrying possibility that a very large development will become overwhelming - hogging all the benefits for itself, or for just a chosen few, and leaving the rank and file of residents to drift into landless poverty. This is why provision must be made in any plan for the people of the country. This is an internationally recognized development concept. We have already put four questions to you in our letter of 14 th June and we await your answer. To summarize them: 1. Is government selling land to locals at affordable prices; if so how much land, and when will it actually become available? Is land being retained for future generations? 2. When selling the acre and half-acre lots at Crown Point and other locations, are there any covenants such as a limit to the area purchased or a time within which building must begin, to prevent speculators? 3. Is one large portion of 600 acres or more at Park, almost 15% of the total land mass of Bequia, being sold to one person or entity? 4. Is government land being retained for improvements to, and preservation of, the island not just for the immediate future but also for the long term - improvements such as a garbage facility, cemetery, community centre, schools, and a nature reserve ? The People's Action Alliance will carry the answers received today to all the people of Bequia. We find it hard to believe that you, Mr. Prime Minister, and all those working with you, would like to leave as your legacy the mass sell-out of government lands in Bequia against the wishes of the local people. The delicate balance between locals and visitors that is Bequia today will be lost irretrievably, to the detriment, not only of the people of Bequia, but, of the whole of St. Vincent and the Grenadines . We repeat our invitation to you, our Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, to come with your cabinet colleagues, to Bequia, to present your plan to the people.
Press Release #6 Bequia Land Protest NOT “Political ” The Peoples Action Alliance of Bequia wants to put to rest, once and for all, the incorrect assertion of Government that the swell of protest in Bequia against the sale of all of the island's Crown Lands in order to fund an international airport is “political” as the Prime Minister suggested in his press conference yesterday. A desperate plea, yes, but political, no! The People's Action Alliance has the support of all Bequians including stalwarts of the government party, the ULP. Two of the PAAB committee members openly campaigned for the ULP in the last election. The PAAB is unaware of any ULP supporters in Bequia who endorse this present government land policy. The Prime Minister's offer, also in the news conference, of land at $14.00 per square foot to nationals would not, we fear, appeal to many Bequians who are not as well-off as some of their counterparts on the mainland, such as those in the higher echelons of the civil service and the professional classes. The PAAB is not against the sale of land to non-nationals. Private lands will be sold to the buyer who pays the most for it – and in Bequia that is often US$6.00 and up per square foot. This is precisely why government land is required for sale to nationals. Is the government so insensitive that they can't see that they are ruining the future for many Bequians regardless of political persuasion, by forcing the next and future generations to have to leave this island for their survival? The idea of retaining some land as a nature reserve is an excellent one. The PAAB hopes that this will not be another aspect of the country turned over to foreigners to ‘run' as is planned for the airports. We trust that any declared nature reserve can and will be superbly administrated by our own Vincentians.
A Policy of Pretense and Secrecy Pretending that there is no land problem in Bequia is not going to make the sell-off of the entire island's government-owned land any more palatable to the people of the country. This is the advice of the People's Action Alliance of Bequia to the Government of St. Vincent & the Grenadines . If the powers-that-be are in any doubt, the Alliance suggests they talk to the 400 Bequians who have applied for a small house-spot; or they could ask to see the petition circulated by the PAAB where almost 2000 people show their disagreement with Government's action; or perhaps the Government could even consider answering letters from the People's Action Alliance requesting dialogue. Yet the Prime Minister has not even replied to a letter of 14 th June in which the PAAB outlined their concerns and asked for a meeting with him. Neither has the Minister of Lands, Julian Francis, answered a letter from the PAAB of 27 th June inviting him to talk to them. Nor has National Properties Ltd., the government company selling the land, replied to a letter from the PAAB of 19 th June asking a simple factual question about the Crown Land at Gellizeau. If the government will not give out any information to its people, then the people will have to take recourse elsewhere. It was agreed at a meeting of the committee on Monday, July 17 th , to write to the Governor General, His Excellency, Sir Frederick Ballantyne, requesting a meeting with him. Other eminent persons and organizations in the state, in the region, and internationally will be lobbied to help Bequia cope with this serious and dangerous policy of selling- off the country's assets to finance a particular project. The Peoples Action Alliance suggests interested persons could visit their web-site www.peoplesactionbequia.com for more information including an on-line petition. (under Links). Contacts: People's Action Alliance: Garfield Gurley garfscool@hotmail.com 455 3008
Newspaper Ad July 7th 2006 - The News, Vincentian, Searchlight Press release #4 June 26 th , 2006 Over 1500 sign petition against sale of Bequia Crown Lands An urgent letter was sent off today to the Minister of Lands, the Honourable Senator Julian Francis, in a continuing effort by the People's Action Alliance to discover the status of the Crown Lands of Bequia. The PAA says that it speaks for the majority of the inhabitants of the island in expressing dismay over the apparent transfer of all of Bequia's Crown Land to the International Airport Development Co. for re-sale at prices most local persons cannot afford. Rocky McIntosh, co-chairperson of the executive committee, is worried that the sale of these 739 acres (17% of Bequia's land mass) represents a permanent loss of control over the island's territory. In a small country like St. Vincent this loss has far-reaching implications for our sovereignty, he explained. “Once its gone, I'm afraid it's gone forever.” Government has as yet produced no development plan for the lands being sold, nor has any Government Representative explained the new policy to the residents of Bequia. The people most immediately affected, lower income persons in need of a house spot, want to know what will happen to their hopes for themselves and their children. Referring to the 739 acres being sold, the Minister said in Parliament “Our Prime Minister has come up with a very ingenious plan to build us an international airport”. And he went on to say that he “congratulated the Prime Minister,” and further stated that this plan has ”given me so much energy since then Mr. Speaker, I have not come off the high yet.” In complete contrast to this, over 1500 citizens and residents of Bequia have voiced their reaction by signing a petition which states, “We, the undersigned citizens of St. Vincent & the Grenadines , do not agree that Government should sell-off all of Bequia's Crown Lands.”
Press release #3 The people of Bequia unable to get information on Crown Land sales In spite of enquiries to the National Properties Co., and to websites selling land for them, the Peoples Action Alliance of Bequia has been unable to confirm that Government has sold the Crown Lands on the south side of the island. This acreage at the western end of Bequia's airport was originally advertised on several websites who are offering for sale all of Bequia's Crown Lands in order to raise money to acquire land at Argyle for the proposed International Airport . But on Lara Cowan Hadley's site www.grenadine-escape.com this area is now marked SOLD. Residents of the nearby village of Paget Farm , which is the island's largest settlement, are wondering where they will be able to buy land in future for their children and grandchildren. This is just one of the many questions which, in the spirit of transparency, need to be answered to reassure Bequia's worried population. The citizen's group is awaiting a reply from the Prime Minister to their letter requesting a meeting with him on the sale of Crown Lands issue. Meanwhile a petition, signed by citizens of the state who are in disagreement with the sell-off of all the crown lands of Bequia, is eliciting much support.
Press release #2 Fifteen members of a steering committee for the newly formed People's Action Alliance of Bequia agreed at a meeting on Thursday on the urgent need to stop what appears to be the scurry to sell-off all the Crown Land in Bequia at prices no local person can afford. Chosen as co-chairpersons of the committee were Rocky McIntosh, businessman and former Senator, and Pat Mitchell, hotelier, with Garfield Gurley, a secondary schoolteacher, named secretary, and Joan Davis, office manager, treasurer. Owen Belmar, restauranteur, Herbert Raguette, labourer and president of a Friendly Society, and Hezron Leach, teacher and musician, joined the rest of the executive as spokespersons for the committee. The lack of explanation from Government means that word on what is happening has to be gleaned from the internet and other sources. What does seem certain is that: 1. all the crown land thought of by Bequians as an enduring asset of the people has now been put on sale by government. 2. the small amount of property being set aside for sale to local people, apparently in very small lots of 6000 square feet and only about 10 acres in all, is totally inadequate for present needs, not to mention the future. 3. a huge parcel of land, about 600 acres, is being offered to one person or company, at a price that, although it seems a great deal of cash now, in years to come will probably be considered a giveaway. 4. Apart from the lack of land left for low-income housing there will be none in reserve, either, for moderate-income housing. Neither does there seem to be a plan nor any space left for much needed projects for the island such as: a) an A-level college so Bequia's brightest can have a chance for a university education b) a modern hospital to replace the make-shift arrangement of many years which is so difficult for nurses and doctors, not to mention patients. c) the new garbage facility so long talked about d) a nature reserve/national park to protect the environment, along with some recreational areas for citizens and visitors to enjoy e) a community centre – there is currently no adequate indoor space for cultural or other activities The committee laid plans for educating Vincentians and the world about this trauma. A letter has been written to the Prime Minister requesting a meeting as soon as possible to discuss what can be done. A petition is being circulated.
Press release #1 7 June, 2006 More than 150 concerned Bequia residents met at the Bequia Community High School on Tuesday, 6 th June to discuss the burning issue of the sell-out of Crown Lands in Bequia. Persons from all political parties and from all walks of life participated. A steering committee was set up to deal with this important issue. Many persons spoke. The most common questions that came up were: 1. how much land is being offered to the people of Bequia to buy at a price they can afford? That of EC$17.50 per square foot, as advertised on the internet, all agreed is beyond the pocketbook of the people. 2. Is any Crown Land being retained for future generations of Bequians to buy? Or will our children and grandchildren be forced to leave the island if they are to have home of their own? 3. Is any Crown Land being kept for future community projects such as an A-level college, a national park, a modern hospital, a wildlife sanctuary, etc.? 4. If 750 acres are being sold to foreigners (17% of the island) how will this affect the cultural and social life of the island? Already much private land is owned by foreigners so several speakers pointed out that native-born Bequians will soon be in the minority in terms of land, population, and influence. 5. Why is one large piece of 500 to 600 acres being considered for sale to one person? What possible project on a small island requires that much land? What does this leave for the future? The fifteen volunteers named on the steering committee were given a mandate to act as quickly as possible to make it known to the world what is happening in Bequia and to put pressure on the Government to re-think this catastrophic policy.
The members of the committee are: |
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