Gov’t should facilitate first-time land owners to build their homes
Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly (HoA) Neville ‘Sheep’ Smith said the government should help first-time Belonger landowners with the construction of homes.
Smith was giving his contribution to the motion moved by Premier Andrew Fahie to amend the Stamp Duty Tax Act in the HoA earlier today.
The Deputy Speaker said while the government is already assisting Belongers to purchase land with its four per cent tax waiver, some persons still cannot build on the land for several reasons.
“One of the things when it comes to government land — once people acquire government land — is that some sort of road infrastructure or water and power needs to be put in place that these people can have access to do these things,” Smith said.
“Maybe there could be a way you could charge it in the land tax so we could get it bit by bit. We don’t have to get it all. Because sometimes when a young person is going to build a house and they are alone in that area, a transformer alone, they can’t afford to pay for a transformer,” the Deputy Speaker added.
Smith, who is also a Territorial At-large representative, said there are many young persons who use their money to purchase land and because of poor public infrastructure, they are unable to reach that land.
“They can’t get power to that land; they can’t get water to that land. That in itself puts them in a predicament where they have to sit down and wait and then you know what might happen? They might lose that same piece of land because they can’t get to build on it,” he reiterated.
“So, we have to find ways that we could enhance that because if we are saying we are going to give them the land, we have to give them the opportunity to build on that land,” Smith continued.
Although the Deputy Speaker said he still supports the motion, he noted there is a lot more the government can do and a lot more they will do to help BVI citizens.
“As I say, little by little a bird builds its nest and I think the government is moving in the right direction in finding ways to help our people and keeping the land to Belongers and our young people. Because if you don’t own the land, you don’t own the island,” Smith said.
During the height of the pandemic, the government had issued a four per cent stamp duty waiver for Belongers who purchased new property or land which expired on December 31.
Fahie said the stamp duty waiver has been modified to just Belongers who are using the bank to purchase homes and/or land for the first time or Belongers embarking on home construction purchases for the first time.
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this is the best idea I have heard in a minute…the banks killing you when right now when you trying get your ducks in a row..
Make land cheaper as well, most young people can’t afford to buy much less build
Question. What can cause you to lose your land. I though, once you bought it, it belongs to you, unless you decide to sell it.
Why don’t we hand out cars, fridges and retaining walls as well? It’s election time so why hold back? No need to build schools or roads or reliable water & power infrastructure? Let’s blow it all on the VIP election campaign!
These younger land holders need access to bank loans. The BVI government needs to make lending more accessible to normal people. If the banks are not willing to take a chance on belonger land holders, kick them out of the BVI.
This is the only way young people are going to get a leg up. These banks are only out for themselves…. Make it more difficult for them to open branches here if they’re not he!ping
You sound so stupid, that it is not even funny. I built a house 7 years ago and the bank was certainly not the problem.
Before you go blaming the banks go have a conversation with the contractors and those who are selling land at a ridiculous rate. The problem starts with them not the banks.
Banks are only managing peoples savings, they can’t just go and risk people’s money on loans they cannot recoup. I sure don’t want them to take unnecessary risk with my hard earned money.
What government needs to do is invest in education along with proper trade policies which will promote development and investment. Once this is done most of our people would have access to opportunities to earn a decent living and live the life they want. Anyone else that need help can get this from government via Social Development. Stop playing stupid politics with the people and get some meaningful s**t done!!!!
What is the seven percent that is being taken from remittance services for? I thought the premier said that money was to help first time homeowners. What wickedness . I don’t see care who want to vex but if that money was being used to fix roads and schools I wouldn’t have a problem, but what is that money doing? For 3 years I now I can’t see no improvement in the country.
According to the premier in the recent house of assembly sitting, it sounds like that money going to fishing and farming; $1mil each.
Gimmee Gimmee and gimmee mo..raising your population of Black children to be welfare recipients social dependents with lack of pride and sense of personal accomplishment,rather an entitlement to handouts and charitybut then exhibit feign indignation when they are treated less than and scorned.
How are you all so called leaders any better than the slavemaster.
Why do you feel compelled to mimic and practice the behaviour of the oppressor?
Building up the VI with poor Blacks from violent cultures,guaranteeing that culture of violence so necessary to complete and perpetuate global expectations. Black folks are their own and worse enemies. Who vex vex.