BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – ELECTION fever hit a high pitch at Market Street last evening (Jan. 19) as St. Kitts opposition party the People’s Action Movement (PAM) revealed it would sell land to locals at 99 cents per square foot if it formed the next government.
The announcement came during PAM Political Leader Lindsay Grant’s presentation of the party’s 2010 manifesto entitled “Ready to Serve-Prepared to Govern”. Hundreds of PAM supporters packed the streets to hear him outline his party’s five-year vision for St. Kitts-Nevis in areas such as housing, agriculture and entrepreneurship.
Grant insisted that PAM’s housing policy would be free from “election manipulation and political interference”, stressing that foreign investors would no longer have the upper hand in obtaining land from the government.
“The Kittitian Hill investors got the land at 75 cents per square foot. Allen Stanford got the prime land by the airport for 69 cents. We will sell land to all locals, especially youth, for a sum of 99 cents per square foot under a PAM government.
“Some of you may have purchased land just recently. We are going to refund you in the form of duty-free and consumption taxes when you are constructing your home. And for persons who already own homes and are paying EC$655 each month for them, you will receive a 25% reduction in your monthly instalment. Instead of paying $655, you will pay $495, almost $200 less,” he pledged.
Grant continued to read from the 35-page manifesto, provoking cheers and applause from the enthusiastic crowd. In the months leading up to the January 25 election, the PAM team had already given the public a sneak peek into some of the document’s contents, including their three-pronged crime approach and their plan to remove all duties on imported foods.
“This manifesto is not promises. These are commitments to the people. I am sure you will find that you want to be a part of this platform for change,” he urged. “PAM will successfully diversify the economy. We will set St. Kitts-Nevis on a path towards sustainable growth and development. We have heard the suffering of the people and we have responded to it.”
Grant announced that PAM would immediately table a new tourism master plan that would link tourism to sports, agriculture, the environment and culture. He said it would facilitate greater local investment in the tourism industry, thereby increasing jobs and business opportunities for nationals.
The manifesto also outlines how a PAM government would completely eliminate the fuel surcharge, institute a national health insurance system and establish a land distribution system to guide future agricultural development.
The PAM Leader then distributed copies of the manifesto to those present, which he said could be found online at www.pamforchange.com or at the party’s constituency offices. He encouraged persons to attend a Youth Rally this evening (Jan. 20) at Challengers Court, where PAM would unveil its 2010 youth-oriented manifesto.
“Let us embrace a new future, filled with hope, inspiration and opportunity. Take this bold step with me and my team,” Grant stated.
“On January 25, I urge you to make a difference. Mark your X next to the hat, PAM is ready to serve and prepared to govern.”
