By Aabigale McIntosh

Prime Minister Gaston Browne has once again emphasized the government’s commitment to tackling the issue of old and abandoned buildings in the capital city of St. John’s.

Browne stated that the government is considering taking action against property owners, including the possibility of imposing penalties, in order to address this pressing issue.

“We have to tear them down, and even the vacant lots, where the owner refuses to manicure those lots, the government will do so and charge them. And if those charges amount eventually to about 50 percent of the value of the land, then we have a right to sell it”, Browne said.

Aside from imposing a penalty, the government is also considering buying up derelict properties, cleaning them up, and giving neighbourhoods a fresh start.

“The other thing that we’ll do too, for those who are abroad who want to sell their properties, the government will buy them. We’ll get national housing and chopper to buy these properties, especially in these urban areas because they’re close to the central business district, it’s easy to sell. If they want the government to buy the land or an agency of government, we’ll purchase these lots.”.

He also added that in some instances, the government may need to acquire these properties compulsorily and compensate the owners.

According to Browne some of these properties are used as hiding spots for criminals.

“ We’re told that many of these criminal elements, they hide their guns in these old homes and then if there’s some conflict or they’re going to rob us, so they go into the old homes at night and pick up the gun.
So you search them at home, you won’t find anything. But they’re actually storing these guns in these dilapidated properties”.

During the Post-Cabinet press briefing last week Prime Ministers Chief of Staff Lionel Hurst said the government will approach the situation with caution knowing that some property owners may file litigations against the government.