Minister of Housing Andrew John notes that in Bequia, a single individual reportedly owns an entire 95-acre tract.
John contrasts this one person’s ownership of 95 acres with the reality that thousands of other citizens are struggling to acquire even small plots of land, such as 2,000 square feet.
He expresses disbelief that the government was unable to secure this land for public use and noted that the previous administration claimed the land was “too expensive” for the country to purchase, yet a private individual was still able to afford it.
This instance he cited as an example of how land that “should be in the hands of the people” has instead ended up in the hands of “a few people” under the previous administration.
John uses this example to emphasise that because “he who owns the land owns the [wealth],” the current system prevents young people from building a foundation for wealth creation,.
In response to these types of issues, he says the NDP government has committed to a new land distribution policy that prioritizes transparency and ensures young people have the opportunity to own land.
