After a highly-publicized launch of a programme to empower 5,000 nationals, particularly young people, through land ownership on 618 acres of former sugar lands in St. Kitts, to be divided up into lots between 4,000 and 9,000 square feet in 25 regions, many applicants say their applications to Government have been placed “on file” without explanation. They, and others whose applications have been denied, express disenchantment with what they feel is an abstruse bureaucracy surrounding the Special Land Distribution Initiative and the land distribution process, in general. A month after the July 2007 launch, Senator Nigel Carty was quoted by the Communications Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister (CUOPM) saying that, “An applicant under this special land distribution initiative, who is expected to be 18 years or older, will have his or her application satisfied within one month if the area for which the application is made is one of the 8 active areas…Applications made in respect of the other 17 areas will take a little longer time but no more than one month when those areas become active as well.”
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Dr. Denzil Douglas
LABOUR
Persons earning the minimum wage of EC$320 per week will now be able to buy land at the reduced cost of $2.95 per square foot. Stating that the decrease represents “fundamental, positive change”, Douglas assured appropriate adjustments would be made for those who fall into this category and have already been given land at a higher price.
He however noted that some persons would still be unable to afford land and pledged to consult with commercial banks to identify a solution.
“I know some persons are having difficulty raising the funds for the purchase of the land, and I will therefore arrange a meeting with the banks with a view to considering any incentives that can be provided to the banks to encourage them to provide the necessary funding to our people. For those who cannot afford the mortgage payments based on the terms established by these banks, my government will arrange for a line of credit of $10 million to be provided to the Development Bank for lending on soft terms for the purpose of acquiring land under our enhanced Special Land Initiative,” said the Prime Minister.
Deputy Leader of PAM and Constituency Number Eight candidate Eugene Hamilton would head Agriculture, Fisheries, Lands, Housing and Social Security. He stated that housing development would continue under his watch, but would allow low income families to become empowered rather than dependent upon government.
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I am a national of St Kitts living in the United States with plans to retire in the near future on my home island. I have applied for land over five years ago and have never received a response. I guess I am also "on file". I too would like to know the exact procedure for appling for a plot of land so that I may be a sucessful land and home owner.
skbsugarz (19-Jun-09 01:21 PM)
I am concerned about how long it takes to distribute houses once they have been completed. It is ridiculous how the Government let the houses sit months upon months and people are waiting to get them...I am a labour and will vote Labour again but this needs fixing Douggie....
Concerrn Citizen (15-Jun-09 06:50 PM)
we need to get away from this thing about being kept on file. as a young person it is sickening to know that when you apply for piece of land thats all they telll you and you dont hear from them again. We the young people want to start young in life so we dont have the hassle when we get old. We tend to put politics in everything for me it seems like who you know and who you family be.
Concern Citizen (13-Jun-09 11:29 PM)
I would like to know what is the proceedure after an application is submitting to NHC? I have carried in many applications to NHC for years now and all am getting is that am file....one time I carried an application to NHC and did not get a reply until one year after, to tell me am on file again. I honestly think that is not about the information on the application but WHO'S POLITICAL PARTY YOU ARE KNOWN TO FOLLOW OR WHO YOUR FAMILIES ARE.
Hotspice (10-Jun-09 11:10 AM)
I would like to know why it has taken so long for myself to acquire a 2 bedroomed property, when my application has been in the offices since 2007 - when I go to the offices to enquire - I am replied with "your name is on file" - could you explain to me what that exactly means. Please advise.
cassandra (05-Jun-09 01:55 PM)
I would like to know the criteria for aquring a pice of land it cannot be the forms or the requirement that was asked off before.let me know who representative I have to go to etc..........
eBizz Business Solutions, Inc., P.O. Box 130 Basseterre, St. Kitts W.I. Tel: (869) 466-9242
