Roadtown, Tortola - Government, acting through the Ministry of Health and Social Development, has purchased the building that was leased from a private family to house the Rainbow Children’s Home in Lower Estate.
On Monday this week, Minister of Health and Social Development Honourable Dancia Penn, OBE, QC handed over a cheque for $275,000 to a representative of the law firm Harney Westwood and Riegels on the family’s behalf. That payment represented the required deposit for the purchase of the property; the balance will be paid in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Agreement of Sale.
Monday’s presentation followed a Cabinet decision taken last year to acquire the property when it became available for sale.
According to Honourable Penn, the importance of the Territory continuing to have a safe and appropriate facility that can be a home for children who are in need of care and protection, was among the considerations that influenced Cabinet’s decision.
“We also considered the fact that because of the scarcity of available flat land in Road Town, it was important to take this opportunity to acquire the property,” the Minister said.
Under the terms of the Agreement of Sale, payment for the purchase of the property is to be completed in two stages. “I hope that we will be able to make the final payment before too long and the Crown can become properly registered as the owner of the property,” noted Honourable Penn.
The Rainbow Children’s Home, which operates under the Ministry of Health and Social Development, is a facility that has been designated to provide care and protection to children who are neglected, abused, or abandoned. The Ministry aspires to provide leadership that promotes health, social wellbeing, and a safe environment as positive resources for living and sustainable development of the Territory.
British Virgin Islands News