Richmond farmers to be paid compensation

Residents of North Leeward whose livelihoods will be disrupted by the establishment of a stone quarry at Richmond will be paid compensation amounting to an estimated $200,000.

“That’s the preliminary evaluation. This now has to be discussed with the farmers,” Senator, Julian Francis said during a press conference yesterday morning February 10, adding that individual payouts will range from as much as $40,000 to as little as $1000. 

Prior to taking up his current portfolio as minister with responsibility for Urban Development, Francis served as the Minister of Transport and Works for three terms under the current administration. 

As the minister who spearheaded the quarry project since 2001, Francis shared some background into its development and the progress it has made over the years. 

The establishment of the stone quarry has caused consternation among persons from North Leeward, including from Chateaubelair and Fitz Hugnes who farm at Richmond on lands, some of which have already been bulldozed in the early stage of the quarry project.

And, at a hastily called meeting on Thursday, February 3, at the Chateaubelair Primary School government ministers and other officials as well as a representative from the company that will operate the quarry sought to share information about the project with angry residents who said they felt disrespected, not having been consulted about the project.

One of the persons who farm at Richmond is Cuthbert James who said it was when he accompanied a government party to the area that he saw his bearing cocoa plants had been bulldozed.

He pointed out that the project had already started and that the concerns of the residents of Chateaubelair and Fitz Hughes and the surrounding communities, “is that you see activities and nobody was informed; that is the basic point. Yes, no equipment down there in terms of crushing stones, but since August a lot of equipment at Richmond waiting to start what they are doing now.”

Other persons who attended the meeting expressed similar , noting that they are not anti-development but also inquired whether an Environmental Impact Assessment was undertaken and where could they access the Environmental Management Plan.

At the press conference Thursday, the former Transport and Works minister accepted that the government had “dropped the ball” with regard to the valuation of the crops and notifying farmers that a deal had been brokered and a lease agreement signed with a developer for the quarry in Richmond. 

“Had we gone through an evaluation period immediately after La Soufriere when the gentleman got title to the land, there was nothing; there would’ve been nothing to value, to evaluate. Everything was covered in ash,” Francis said. 

The official lease arrangement between the government and the company establishing quarry operations, Rayneau Group of Companies was signed on April 9, 2021, the same day La Soufriere began erupting explosively, he explained. 

Francis added that “when that was cleared up, the government machinery, I’m not placing blame on any other individual because there were so many other things doing with COVID spike in September, COVID spike in December…” 

He however congratulated officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, who completed and provided the preliminary valuation information this week. 

Francis told the media yesterday that more lots than the area that is being leased by Rayneau Group of Companies are listed to receive compensation. 

“The names on this list, they come up to about 25 areas they feel will be affected by the quarry,” the minister said. 

About 58.8 acres, spanning 12 lots are said to have been leased to Rayneau for quarry operations. 

“This still has some works to be done but I want to reassure the farmers who are affected down there and who were not consulted, to know that this is on the way and this should be coming out soon,” Francis said.

“Apart from the farming, a commitment is made to find alternative lands for farmers and the Ministry of Agriculture and Chief Surveyor, they are actively trying to source- they have identified some lands.”