By Shawn Seabrookes
Senior Reporter-SKNVibes.com

Leader of the Labour Party Administration and Prime Minister of St. Kitts & Nevis, Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas

The Special Land Distribution initiative designed by the ruling Labour Party Administration was officially launched on last Friday, August 24^th and immediately the objective of the new venture was further publicized with the handing over of approval documents to ten persons who applied for land under the programme.

 
Under the new initiative, residents, especially young people, have the opportunity of applying for a piece of land, through their domestic banking institutions, at a rate of EC$5 per square for the first 4000 square feet and EC$6.95 for any addition to the 4000 square feet.

One lucky person receives approved Land

Buyers also have the privilege of working out with their banking institutions their payment plan. The scheme provides for a grace period of six months before payment begins and the various banking institutions offer payment plans up to ten years.

 

During his remarks to launch the scheme, Prime Minister Douglas called it a novel and unprecedented initiative which allows for young person especially to own a “piece of the rock.”

He indicated that his Administration has heard the concerns of the middle and low income salary earners in society, that it was too costly to purchase land, hence this subsidized initiative by his Government.

 

He urged all to take advantage of the new programme, especially the young people, as there are numerous benefits for such an investment.

 

Deputy Prime Minister of St. Kitts & Nevis, Hon. Sam Condor

He warned successful applicants that they should not yield to over zealous persons who would offer them significant increases on their purchase price but “hold on to their land!”

 

“They will offer you to buy the land from you for more because they know that such is the real value of the land, but do fall prey to them, hold on to your land!” the country’s leader warned.

 

He further stated that when they purchase the land, and they have their children and they want to secure capital to invest in their children’s education, the land would be there for such.

 
“The land appreciates. The land is not going to spoil! Hold on to your land!” he emphasized.

A section of the crowd at the special land distribution initiative launch

 

 In addition, Prime Minister Douglas noted that some of the banking institutions have collaborated nicely with the local Government to provide the best possible plan for land owners to build their homes as well.

‘This indeed is the time for you to grasp the opportunity to buy your land and broaden the horizons of your future,” Prime Minister Douglas stated.

 

~~Adz:Left~~ He also took the opportunity to note that his Labour Party has always campaigned for the making available of lands for the people of St. Kitts and Nevis and lauded the late first Premier, His Right Excellent, Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw, who championed the cause to accrue land for the people.

Prime Minister Douglas also used the platform to disclose that his Cabinet has approved that land purchased through the National Housing Corporation (NHC) be sold at EC$4 per square foot. However, the arrangement is for people who are proven low income earners.

 

Prime Minister Douglas was supported on the platform by his Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Sam Condor, and Mrs. Hilary Hazel, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sustainable Development, the Ministry under which the new initiative falls.

 

Following the launch ceremony, those who capitalized on the opportunity were entertained by the Nu Vybes Band.