Government moving to purchase or acquire Baliceaux

As the March 14 observance of National Heroes Day approaches, the government of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) is moving to either purchase or acquire Baliceaux, a privately owned island with historical links to the Garifuna people and the nation’s only National Hero, Paramount Chief, Joseph Chatoyer.

This move was announced by Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves when he spoke on NBC radio on Wednesday, January 3.

Last year, the 320-acre island located just off the mainland, was advertised for sale by its owners who were asking for a purchase price of US $30 million.

Baliceaux is the uninhabited island to which close to 3000 Garifuna were banished after the 1795 revolt against the colonising British in which Chief Chatoyer was killed.

On Wednesday, Dr Gonsalves said he had already asked the chief surveyor, to have a valuation of Baliceaux done.

He explained that this valuation is being done as government seeks to reach an agreement with the owners for the purchase of the island.

Dr Gonsalves added that should they fail to reach a purchasing agreement, then government would invoke the law in relation to acquisition and the matter will be settled before a tribunal.

The prime minister also indicated that the title for the island “will have to be interrogated, to make sure everything is in order.”

While the island is being advertised for sale on a regular basis, Dr Gonsalves reminded the public that any foreign investor would first have to get an Alien Land Holding License in order to effect a purchase.

He said this would not be easy as Baliceaux is an historical site, and a place for a memorial.

While there seem to be no potential buyers yet, Dr Gonsalves said the present owners do not have the inclination or resources to develop the island, which he suggested would cost “ a huge amount of money.”

Government will only allow “particular types of development” on Baliceaux because of the island’s sensitive historic, cultural and memorial dimensions.

He issued a reminder that Baliceaux “is where 2,500 of our ancestors- Garifuna- where they were put in 1795.”

The island remains uninhabited and forms part of the pilgrimage journey of visiting Garifuna delegations who last year called for the government to acquire the property on which the bones of their ancestors lie.

On Wednesday, the prime minister expressed the hope to have the matter relating to government’s purchase or acquisition of Baliceaux settled before the March 14, 2024 observance of National Heroes’ Day commemorating the death of National Hero, Joseph Chatoyer.