MP Lewis Refutes PM Browne’s Claims on Land Applications

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.