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Member of Parliament for St. John’s Rural West Richard Lewis has publicly opposed Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s statements concerning land applications submitted by opposition MPs.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne said that the MPs requested land at a much lower price than it was worth.
Furthermore, he said the land was already set aside for a major development project. According to Browne, the MPs wanted the land for $3 dollars a square foot, when it is actually worth about US10.
But in a press release, Lewis clarified, “The land in question is in a valley close to Pensioner’s, and not overlooking Royalton as he maliciously claimed. As a matter of fact, neither Royalton nor any sea can be seen from there.” This statement reflects Lewis’s frustration over what he perceives as a deliberate attempt by the Prime Minister to tarnish his reputation.
“This is yet another one of PM Browne’s hard efforts to dishonour my name. Is it that only PM Browne and those he chooses should have access to land in Antigua?” Lewis questioned.
Moreover, Lewis emphasized that the land application process is structured, contrary to Browne’s claims.
He explained that a government surveyor had recommended the area as the only land available for distribution in Rural West and accompanied them to the site.
However, he later learned that all lands in that vicinity were designated for development, and he would need to seek alternatives. Lewis mentioned that the Cabinet decided he could apply for half an acre rather than the full acre he initially requested.
The MP drew attention to what he perceives as double standards regarding land access, referencing Browne’s acquisition of three acres in the English Harbour area, which he purchased at significantly low rates and sold portions for substantial profits.
“Everyone knows he got three acres of land in the English Harbour area at about EC$0.50 per sq. ft. He subsequently sold approximately 1/2 acre of those lands for hundreds of thousands of dollars,” Lewis alleged.
In closing, Lewis called for increased transparency in the process of Crown land acquisition by parliamentarians, advocating for legislative measures to clarify the benefits afforded to elected officials, thus reducing any potential for secrecy.
He noted that the current land policy for MPs, which predates both the current and former UPP administrations, permits the purchase of up to one acre of land at concessionary rates.
So sue him then…..and win! Then and only then will we know who’s lying and who’s not. Simple!
Simple. They always let the PM getaway with these things. He loves to accuse them of defamation. Why not they do the same?
WE ALL KNOW THE P M’S Actions with LAND IN ANU/BAR!!!!!
The People Whose VOICES are LOUD IN DEFENSE OF The P M’s DEFAMATION WITH LIES Better Look Out ….. Winner will Take ALL ….. THEN OUR children, grandchildren and great grandchildren will (God Forbid) EXPERIENCE APARTHEID in THEIR OWN LAND OF BIRTH …….
……. OUR PRIME MINISTER Has ALREADY SECURED ALL HIS FAMILY MEMBERS AND IN-LAWS with THEIR PIECE OF THE PIE LANDS in ANU/BAR!!!!!
……. Can The People of ANU/BAR Not SEE THIS???
THEN Our P M GETS IN THE WAY OF OTHER Sons of Our Soil LEGALLY BUYING A Piece of OUR BIRTHRIGHT That Our ANCESTORS Have EARNED for Us with BLOOD, SWEAT And LIVES …
Plus The Fact That MANY of US WITH OUR TAXPAYERS FUNDS (through the Father of the NATION) have ALREADY PAID For Much of These Former Estate Lands …..
How is it That Our P M can UNILATERALLY DECIDE ON LAND BEING RESERVED (For What?)…. Not Even The Persons In the Responsible Positions DEALING with Land KNOW THAT THE LAND HE TOLD Parliamentarians is Available for Sale TO THEM HAD BEEN ALREADY heir marked by THE PM for ???? Development ….. ( who CANNOT Smell A RAT here?)
PEOPLE WAKE UP …. Use Your REASONING ABILITIES Please….
I guess only gb and his are allowed to get land ar a cheap rate. How badminded can you be. Shameful
How come he did not mention the fact that Anthony Smith applied for a piece too.
Wow why do they do this?
Thats not even the issue. The issue is GASTON alone should have land and house and a thick bank account. He alone