KINGSTOWN, St Vincent, CMC – Government will move ahead with the sale of crown lands on Bequia, the largest Grenadines island, to help finance an EC $500 million (US$187 million) international airport on eastern St Vincent, despite protest from a group on the island.
The People’s Action Alliance of Bequia (PAAB) opposes the sale, stating that nationals cannot afford to buy the lands at the prices quoted.
Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, who also has ministerial responsibility for Grenadines Affairs, met with the group and this week told the media the sale of the lands is inevitable in financing the project but his administration would take into account the concerns of the PAAB.
He said lands would be sold to nationals at EC$14 (US5.19) per square foot while non-nationals will pay EC$18 (US6.55) per square foot.
Some of the lands on Bequia, Dr Gonsalves said, will be used to construct a five star hotel.
However, the PAAB, which has collected the signatures of 1,500 people protesting the sale, has complained that government was yet to produce a development plan for the lands being sold.
Dr. Gonsalves, however, assured the group that government will be working together in a committee to execute the sale of the Crown Lands.