Roadtown, Tortola - Government has once again kept its commitment to empower the people of Anegada and has signed a contract valued at $607,050.00 for surveying services for the Anegada Lands Allocation Project.
The contract is to facilitate surveying works for a range of 1000 – 1400 half-acre lots on the East Settlement of the island of Anegada.
Premier and Minister for Finance Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE expressed his pleasure when he signed the contract with Mr. Burton Chalwell and Mrs. Shirley Chalwell, Directors of Chalwell Surveying Services Ltd on Tuesday, July 7.
“Today we have Mr. Chalwell helping us to solve a problem which has taken us many years to get solved. All these documents in connection with Anegada Lands should be safely documented and placed in the archives on display,” the Premier said.
Additionally, the Premier shared a short history of the Anegada Lands from 1885 when the agreement was reached to grant titles to the people of Anegada followed by the Bates-Hill Era when two-thirds of the islands was leased to the British Company and the 1987 Renrick Report which was commissioned by Hon. Omar W. Hodge.
Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Hon Omar W. Hodge witnessed the Premier’s signature on behalf of Government and delivered brief remarks at the ceremony. Minister Hodge said the contract signing is a significant step towards presenting land titles to Anegadians by early September. Hon. Hodge also thanked the people of Anegada for their patience and commitment thus far.
“Today is a very special day for me when it comes to the Anegadians. The Anegadians have waited long and we have to set them free with their land titles in their hands. This is how they can show the world that they own a piece of land for the first time, in Anegada,” Hon. Hodge said.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour Mr. Clyde Lettsome, chaired the brief ceremony.
Mrs. Shirley Chalwell of Chalwell Surveying Services Ltd. thanked the Government of the Virgin Islands for allowing them the opportunity to surveying the Anegada Lands and for the confidence placed in their company.
“We wish to assure you that with God’s help, the weather remaining favourable, and with the continued support and assistance of our very good land surveying team, we wish to have this project completed expeditiously and satisfactory so that this long awaited Anegada dream can very soon become a reality,” Mrs. Chalwell said.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour endeavours to effectively manage and administer the natural resources of the Territory and to enable affordable land ownership to Virgin Islanders (UK).
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