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Government Approves Concession Land—But Not at Deep Bay Heights
Despite his criticisms, Prime Minister Gaston Browne confirmed that the government has approved land for opposition MPs at a concession rate, but not in the high-value Deep Bay Heights area they originally sought.
“The Cabinet agreed that we would sell them land at a concession rate because we’re not trying to deprive them of the opportunity,” Browne said. “But where they went and what they were trying to achieve was something else.”
Gaston Browne alleged that three United Progressive Party (UPP) MPs—Kelvin “Shugy” Simon, Algernon “Serpent” Watts, and Richard Lewis—each formally requested one acre of land at Deep Bay Heights, a prime government-owned development area earmarked for high-end tourism.
“These individuals requested land that is valued at about $2 million EC each, and they wanted to pay about $200,000 EC—a fraction of its true worth,” Browne stated. “We have agreements with Sunwing to develop that area, and these individuals want us to take the land from Sunwing and sell it to them personally.”
Browne accused the opposition MPs of engaging in self-enrichment, despite their frequent public criticism of his administration.
“They didn’t go to an area where land sells for $5 per square foot. They went after land we reserved for high-end villas and resort developments,” he said.
A letter titled “Evil is What Evil Does,” criticized the MPs for attempting to acquire land at a steeply discounted rate.
“The trio was recently spotted surveying land in Deep Bay Heights before formally petitioning the Minister of Lands, Hon. Anthony Smith, requesting the sale of at least one acre each at significantly discounted rates,” the statement read. “While the market value of land in this area exceeds $20 USD per square foot, these MPs sought to acquire it for $1.50 USD per square foot.”
Browne further suggested that their land requests may have been financially motivated in anticipation of an attempt to break away from the UPP and form a new political entity.
“It is said that these three are laying the groundwork for a breakaway political entity, an endeavor that has until recently been met with hesitation from MP Watts,” the government’s statement added.
Browne also used the opportunity to criticize the MPs’ performance in Parliament, arguing that they have failed to represent their constituents.
“Shugy and Serpent have not spoken for more than 10 minutes total in the two years they’ve been in Parliament,” he said. “They show up in the morning, then disappear by lunchtime.”
He further claimed that Shugy Simon has not participated in a single budget debate since entering Parliament and had even skipped a parliamentary session to attend Trinidad’s Carnival.
“They are quick to criticize the government but slow to do the work,” Browne said. “Not once have they written letters on behalf of their constituents to get land—but they wrote for themselves.”
While he was critical of their actions, Browne reiterated that the government maintains a policy of offering MPs concessionary land, particularly those who have served multiple terms.
“The issue here is not about whether MPs should get concession land. It’s about where they wanted it and the intent behind it,” he said.
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Great, you are so right
This is exactly why the WINGCUP PREACHERMAN, THE SNAKE AND THE JAMAICAN HUSBAND entered politics!
All politicians are partners in crime and cronies of the same order of Hyram Abiff. Parliament is like he the UFC Fake Wrestling filled with pomp👠, pride🏳️🌈 and entertainment 🕺🏿💃🏾🍷🍾to keep the people in ignorance, fighting and fussing amongst themselves.
You tap use the other fake name “Ras Smood” ??? Or u hiding in the basement from Trump deportation?
I want to know if citizens can write letter asking for land at1.50?
I really need to know because I want a piece for my daughter.
what are they plotting?
to OVERTHROW PRINGLE. But it can NEVER happen.
So wait, them get land but not the one them really wanted? Politics sweet oui.
All now so, people struggling to get land, but politicians getting theirs with ease.
I wonder if is fairness or strategy? Cause something bout this nah add up.
So government saying ‘yes, but not too nice’? Antigua politics always have some spin.
People here waiting years for land, but MPs getting theirs just so? Boy, what a thing.
Deep Bay Heights must be real prime land for them to say ‘not there’!
Well, if the PM is right, they are wrong…now please tell us how much they sold Robin all the land around devil’s bridge for that they they now putting up wall to keep us out?
But serpent got 26 ACRES OF FARMING LAND AND ONLY HAD 1 PUPAH TREE TO SHOW FOR IT!!! Lots of old stove, dirty pampers, old clothes and nasty garbage ……
https://antiguanewsroom.com/marshall-says-serpent-is-a-shame-to-the-farming-community-with-26-acres-of-abandoned-farm-land/
They never applied for land at Deep Bay Heights. That’s a location that Gaston has his eyes set on. I keep asking why does Gaston believe that he has the right to have land wherever he chooses at whatever price he wants to pay and the rest of the citizenry deserves nothing. It was four parliamentarians who applied for land. Gaston tried to make three of them look greedy and uncaring. He never told the world about the fourth because he now sits in his cabinet. He has now been sanitized. I await word to see where the fourth has since gotten land. My instincts tell me that it will be at a more prestigious area than where the three have gotten.
I am appalled! This special carve out for politicians is egregious and an abomination. Irrespective of which party/ administration introduced this corrupt practice, it should be stopped immediately OR encased in strict operational guidelines. Suggy Simon, a lazy, contemptible, ignorant member of Parliament deserves nothing from the state except his monthly stipends for which he has NOT worked. What else can one expect of a slithering, slimy serpent. A johnny-just-come who has failed to provide add any substance to his party’s already dismal performance in Parliament or even at the level of Constituency representation. An then there is the man who would be king – Richard the mouse-hearted..instead of strategising on ways to take this country as a whole into the next level, they are busy trying to push themselves into a class to which they absolutely do not belong! There needs to be reform of this corrupt practice of land grab by politicians across the board, who already receive huge salaries for doing precious little. Antigua and Barbuda is perhaps in dire need of a new pplitical party, one that has the needs and aspirations of the masses – the Antiguan/Barbudan ordinary folk who struggle their entire lives without being able to afford even a quarter acre of land! Nonsense!
I am awaiting acceptance of my Reply……again!!!
Antigua is truly a SHITHOLE COUNTRY politicians can get land anytime they want at concessionary rates but the grassroot people who put them in office have to preach and beg and grovel to their representatives in order to qualify for a little house plot, fu*k UPP, fu*k ABLP, fu*k all politicians