Searchlight Logo
special_image

    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
News
November 23, 2012

North Leeward residents receive lands from Government

Fri, Nov 23, 2012

Two hundred and fifty-seven residents of North Leeward were earlier this week presented with letters {{more}} giving them the opportunity to purchase lands they have been adversely possessing for years.

During an official ceremony at the Golden Grove Learning Resource Centre at Chateaubelair on Monday, November 19, the residents accepted the letters which offer them the lands at a reduced price of 10 cents per square foot, in keeping with government’s policy of turning dead capital to live capital and their broader thrust of poverty reduction.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony, Minister of Housing, Informal Human Settlements, Lands and Surveys and Physical Planning Montgomery Daniel said the occasion was a significant one. Daniel told the gathering that when the Unity Labour Party (ULP) administration came to office in 2001, poverty levels in this country were extremely high. He said that the data showed that 37 per cent of the population was experiencing poverty and that 25 per cent was said to be indigent or “dirt poor.” The Housing Minister pointed out that after 12 years, his government has been able reduce poverty levels significantly so much so that “dirt poor” poverty has gone down to a remarkable three per cent.

Daniel added that the distribution of the housing plots is another concerted effort by the government in its continued fight against poverty in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Director of Telecommunications, Science, Technology, Special Projects and Advisor to the Prime Minister Dr Jerrol Thompson said that he was pleased that North Leeward was benefitting from the largest distribution of lands from government so far. Thompson, who represented the constituency from 2001 to 2010 under the ULP administration said that he was shocked in 2001 to learn that in Fitz-Hughes, only two persons owned titles to their lands, while in Barracks, only another six persons had titles and another four persons in Sharpes had deeds. Dr Thompson said that the distribution of the offer letters fulfills one of his goals for the constituency, that is, to see that all families who have houses on lands be able to own a title deed to the said lands.

Delivering the feature address, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves put the whole distribution of lands into context. Giving a historical overview of the land issue, the Prime Minister took the gathering back to 1763 to the Treaty of Paris where the British obtained possession of what we know as St Vincent and the Grenadines.

“Between 1763 and 1797 when Chatoyer was killed and the Garifuna and Kalinago peoples were defeated…the British took possession and the Garifuna and the Caribs who remained were placed in the north east of the island on 238 acres of lands, after they had owned nearly 100,000 acres before the British,” Dr Gonsalves explained.

“The Garifuna nation was entirely exterminated because of land!” the Prime Minster exclaimed.

Gonsalves further pointed out that even up to 2001, when his government came to office, situations still existed where parents, grandparents and great, great, grandparents have occupied lands for over 100 years and that their off-spring did not have a deed for those lands.

“This is something that this government and Comrade Ralph is determined to change,” he stated, to loud shouts and applause from the large gathering.

The Prime Minister also explained that his government could have given the 257 plots of lands for free, but that he believes that the 10 cents per square foot cost would engender a feeling of pride within the people and that they would feel that they are the rightful owners of the lands.(API)

  • FacebookComments
  • ALSO IN THE NEWS
    Free movement of  people in 4 Caricom states begins tomorrow
    Front Page
    Free movement of people in 4 Caricom states begins tomorrow
    Webmaster 
    September 30, 2025
    Many Vincentians and other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nationals are welcoming the decision by four CARICOM governments to institute the free moveme...
    ‘Unprincipled  non-state operators in Europe seeking to pollute” elections in SVG – PM Gonsalves
    Front Page
    ‘Unprincipled non-state operators in Europe seeking to pollute” elections in SVG – PM Gonsalves
    Webmaster 
    September 30, 2025
    Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, told the United Nations (UN) General Assembly a few days ago that entities in the international sphere are seeking...
    Bramble promises $1 million from CBI money for 50  businesses in East Kingstown
    Front Page
    Bramble promises $1 million from CBI money for 50 businesses in East Kingstown
    Webmaster 
    September 30, 2025
    The opposition New Democratic Party (NDP), moved its campaign to Sion Hill last Saturday, September, 27,2025 as it seeks to retain its hold on the Eas...
    PM calls at U N meeting for better deal for Taiwan, Haiti
    Front Page
    PM calls at U N meeting for better deal for Taiwan, Haiti
    Webmaster 
    September 30, 2025
    Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves renewed his call at the United Nations for the inclusion of Taiwan in the organisation’s specialised agencies. Deli...
    Over EC$700,000 paid to VincyMas 2025 Winners
    Front Page
    Over EC$700,000 paid to VincyMas 2025 Winners
    Webmaster 
    September 30, 2025
    More than EC$700,000 in prize money was handed out to the 2025 VincyMas winners, on Sunday night, September, 28,2025, at Carnival City, Victoria Park....
    Caribbean launches Shelter Working Group to boost Disaster Preparedness
    Press Release
    Caribbean launches Shelter Working Group to boost Disaster Preparedness
    Webmaster 
    September 30, 2025
    As the Atlantic Hurricane season reaches its peak, more than 47 disaster management professionals from across the Caribbean and beyond have joined for...
    News
    Rose Place woman  remanded for threatening to “blow out” man’s head
    From the Courts, News
    Rose Place woman remanded for threatening to “blow out” man’s head
    Webmaster 
    September 30, 2025
    A woman who resides at Rose Place was remanded after threatening to “blow out” a farmer’s head. Rasharma Pollard appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate’...
    Court grants father’s request for jail time for his son
    From the Courts, News
    Court grants father’s request for jail time for his son
    Webmaster 
    September 30, 2025
    A father’s request was granted when his son, who had pointed a gun at him, was imprisoned. Simon Simmons appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court ...
    Cervical cancer initiative launched in SVG
    News
    Cervical cancer initiative launched in SVG
    Webmaster 
    September 30, 2025
    Cervical cancer is one of the few cancers that can be prevented and even eliminated, provided that countries strengthen their vaccination, screening, ...
    Prayer sustains woman  caring for her husband who has Alzheimer’s Disease
    News
    Prayer sustains woman caring for her husband who has Alzheimer’s Disease
    Webmaster 
    September 30, 2025
    The world recognized Alzheimer’s Day on September, 21, 2025, but for the Muhammad family, of Largo Height, Alzheimer’s is an everyday reality that is ...
    Librarian and Poet uses  spoken-word as a relief Valve
    News
    Librarian and Poet uses spoken-word as a relief Valve
    Webmaster 
    September 26, 2025
    Often times, people’s struggles, insecurities, physical issues and inner pain are masked by an exterior that looks strong, poised and well put togethe...

    E-EDITION
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Subscribe Now
    • Interactive Media Ltd. • P.O. Box 152 • Kingstown • St. Vincent and the Grenadines • Phone: 784-456-1558 © Copyright Interactive Media Ltd.. All rights reserved.
    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok