New Bill could make Crown lands harder to get, says Skelton
Opposition Leader Ronnie Skelton has warned that the proposed Crown Lands Management Bill might complicate the process for locals trying to acquire Crown Lands, adding layers of bureaucracy.
Speaking in the House of Assembly, Skelton shared concerns about the potential impact of the proposed Bill, arguing that provisions in the Bill could considerably hinder the ability of Virgin Islanders to obtain land, an essential asset for their livelihood and development.
Skelton highlighted that the new procedures could slow down the process with excessive paperwork and delays. “Are we creating bureaucratic red tapes that stop people from, you know, developing the economy?” Skelton asked.
He also raised issues with specific clauses in the Bill that he said could lead to misinterpretations and potentially unfair practices. One particular concern is the ambiguity over who can apply for land, which, according to Skelton, could unfairly exclude ordinary people. “It’s opening ordinary people to liabilities that they probably can’t afford,” he stated.
Further, the Opposition Leader criticised the Bill for potentially centralising too much power in the hands of a few, specifically concerning a board that reviews all applications.
Skelton questioned the operational scope of this board. “Is this a part-time board, or is it a full-time board with a building and an office?” he asked. “I thought it was a board that meets and just makes decisions like any other board, but it sounded like a board with a lot of time on its hands.”
Skelton argued that the Bill, though well-intentioned in its aim to manage land use better, needs to consider the practical realities of those it impacts most.
He advocated for amendments that would streamline rather than complicate the acquisition process, ensuring Virgin Islanders can access the land they need for their homes and businesses without difficulty.
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Crown land should not be easy to get. What about the Land Banj they all used to YAP About?
Wow … look who has something to say.
That is here fighting over land and who it should and should not be given to or for ever other reason IS GOING TO SIZZLE LIKE FRY CHICKEN IN HOT OIL IN THE PITS OF HELL. Thing is, when you all croak aka kick the bucket you can’t take it with you. You are going in a sealed box under the ground and the land will still be standing for others to fight over.
Is the Bill accessible to the public ?
Ppl does die and leave these things
Keep fighting for it
I did not know that it was easy.
I remember one politician saying the land was in his district and he will distribute it how he wants.
Imagine that, “crown land”? What a joke.
When was the last time a decision was made in the house that actually makes life easier for the people? These guys are quickly leading us down a road if no return. Sad!!!
Fifth generation born BVIslanders first. Everyone else after.
The silliness again. Give the people the land, to farm and live. Imagin the world has quick downturn into a place that has no return, and we in the BVI pissing about who have land. Is this how they building a nation. Oh please , many young people need a start in their life. Paper work my foot.
i was born on the island of tortola on may 22 1968 at sir walter peebles hospital/cottage hospital in road town tortola british virgin islands. my birth certificate is from road town tortola british virgin islands. my british passport for the virgin islands is from the road town tortola british virgin islands passport office. i am a british dependent territories citizen. i am a british oversea territories citizen. the virgin islands is my birth place. all over the british virgin islands on every island parcels of land is being sold for one million dollars with million dollar houses and a pauper like myself do not own a house spot/a house lot in the british virgin islands.