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Three opposition MPs—Kelvin “Shugy” Simon, Algernon “Serpent” Watts, and Richard Lewis—formally requested to purchase government-owned land in the Five Islands area at a significantly reduced price, despite the land being earmarked for development.
The letters, addressed to Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries, and Blue Economy Anthony Smith, were read aloud by the host of The Browne and Browne Show on Pointe FM.
The correspondence confirmed that the MPs sought to acquire the same parcel of land, valued between US$12 and $20 per square foot, for just $1.50 per square foot.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne criticised the request, highlighting that the land had been set aside for a government-led development project and was not available for private sale.
“That land has already been earmarked for development, yet they still wrote to the Agriculture Minister requesting to purchase it,” he said.
He also called out the opposition figures for publicly criticising the government’s land policies while privately attempting to secure land at drastically reduced rates.
“When they talk about self-enrichment, the people will see who is really trying to enrich themselves,” Mr Browne stated.
The government has maintained that public land should be allocated fairly and prioritised for national development rather than private acquisitions at reduced costs.
As of now, the three MPs have not publicly responded to the disclosures.
It remains unclear what justification they provided for their requests or whether they intended to use the land for personal or community purposes.
Prime minister Browne indicated that the request for land was approved by Cabinet but not in that location.
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So wait… they fighting government decisions in public, but behind closed doors, they trying to grab up prime land for cheap? Smh.
If true, this is real shady business. They want to block development, but at the same time, they trying to benefit? Nah, man.
Same politicians always talking about fairness and transparency, but look how fast they jump when they see a sweet deal.
All of them does cry down government decisions until they see a way to personally benefit. Then suddenly, they interested.
This is why people don’t trust politicians—always looking to help themselves first and the people after.
So much people out here waiting years to get land, but MPs want to jump the line and get prime property for pennies? Disrespectful.
Was it unreasonable to make the request? The cabinet headed by the same reporter, gave its approval, although not in the intended location so what is the issue? At least, they never swapped swamp lands for prime lands that cost a thousand times more. I will never be surprised if some of these same lands earmarked for whatever the development, are already owned by the Grabber and his compadres. We will know very soon.
Are they not citizens like everybody else? Once a program like this is launched, any citizen who meets the criteria should be able to apply for it. This is just lame, cheap politicking!
Very much so….we will know soon.
I swear if God call Gaston home today I would rejoice. Why? When a man is the author of all lies, has no principle, lives for sensationalization and does not fear God he is of no use to the human race. Gaston is glad to make the three look insensitive. Not everything is political. However if it has to be, give us the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I am sure tomorrow people may be shocked to find that Anthony Smith may have land in the area mentioned by Gaston. That is because it wasn’t only the three who approached him. It was during the time that Anthony Smith was on the opposition benches. The four made application for land in that area. Anthony Smith is now minister of agriculture and can have the prize cut. However Serpent, Shuggy and Richard Lewis must be ridiculed. Tell us that Anthony Smith was a part of the four who made application. Tell us the whole truth. Even then what’s wrong with them applying for land at consessionary price? Isn’t that available to all parliamentarians?. Doesn’t Gaston himself have prize land on the east, west, north and south? So Gaston must be the only one to benefit from any governmet policy? Barrett just left. He didn’t die with cash nor cheque’s in his hands. He will be buried with empty hands. You, the other hand will be buried with a cheque’s and a title deed in your hands. Bravo Gaston! Bravo Gaston! Bravo Gaston!
Shame on these three vagabonds. Longing for the big life, eh? Shame on ALL three of you!
so if our slave white masters and those who colonized us can get the benefit what’s wrong with that our own can’t get. This is just pure distraction trying to make ABLP politicians look Good . so is ABLP Politicians and their pickney to get Land at reduced price?
These are THREE CROOKS of HIGHEST order. In public They call Prime Minister all sorts of names and behind closed doors , SHUGY , SERPENT and RICHARD LEWIS are ENRICHING Themselves. I hope Serpent DO NOT come to my door in PIGGOTS next election. You Guys are DISHONEST.
I hope JOEL RAYNE win primary for ABLP. Joel is the only candidate that will beat Serpent next election. Michael FREELAND has too much BAGGAGE.
SHUGY , SERPENT and RICHARD LEWIS totally DISHONEST to Their constituents.
So what if the three Antiguans sought lands in their homeland? Do we know who built on the land that the public used for parking at Long Bay? I guess we call that Commercial Development? Do we know who owns acres upon acres of lands in the Devil Bridge area where the walls of Jericho are built around them?Antiguans can gwarne major in minors which our lands are sold out to foreigners in the name of development.
Antiguans are extremely GULLIBLE and believe everything put out there by this corrupt government. Dawg keep fooling them. Chupzzzzz.
I’m not surprised that it’s these 3!!! Richard like to pretend to be a “virgin” but we see what he’s really about.
All of them badmouthing Pringle and Baba, but at least Pringle work for his own money.
These 3 hoodlums are a shame and disgrace!!! I expected this from WINKUP PASTOR and the SNAKE 🐍
Just know that Richard is very SLY and DEVIOUS.
UPP needs a new slate of candidates, too many missteps…from allegations of a boat using campaign finances to land for pepper corn prices. It’s either you are going to be that government in the Sunshine or you stand down. To say but ABLP MPs have things so we want things too is despicable. You ran on being different and honourable but it turns out, all you wanted was a chance for your hand to enter the cookie jar. This is most disappointing. UPP, at this rate it will be decades before you ever have a chance to be voted into office! Why vote for you if all you provide is an exchange instead of a change.
All of you and I mean all of you that is so highly perturbed about these three citizens getting good land for little money you all are foolish. Look how Gaston harb ayou, don’t these people deserve land? A ya them come fram. You all don’t jump up and down when is rich white people but you all ready to disgrace and ridicule people who born here. What a blind set off people. You all should be outrage at Gaston for being so selfish and badminded. All born Antiguan and Barbudan citizens should buy land for as low as 1.50 yes that is how it should be. But because of greedy politians and bad minded ness of some who think they are above the poor people in society born Antiguans having it hard to get a proper piece of land. ME TELL AYOU POLITIANS NOR LOVE AYOU JUST AYOU VOTE SO THEY CAN ENRICH THEMSELVES AND FAMILY AND FRIENDS. OPEN AYOU EYES.
And the sheeps crying in ONE,TWO,THREE and GO!@!.
These comments are hilarious. Nothing to add or take away. Just eating my popcorn and reading. Feathers ruffled…. I like the “exchange, not change” cliché.
BLAP
Why shouldn’t Antiguans get prime lands likka
de rich white, chiney, Indian, Arabs, Syrians, and any other foreigners not mentioned? Our people ready to cry down our own but mum’s the word on all these foreigners that are owners of what should be readily available to our children and their children. Aren’t we seeing that soon we wont be able to go to any beach in Antigua because they will all be owned by foreigners? Antiguans have to BEG for the opportunity to buy a piece of land in Antigua unless it’s election time; why aren’t Antiguans outraged at that? How come we don’t mind being put LAST?
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