PDM Slams Gov’t on ‘Hasty’ Land Bill; Bigger DISCOUNT MARGINS make more sense

By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, March 9, 2023 – The Government has declined to add much needed benefits to the Crown Land Amendment Bill and that could completely block some residents from taking advantage of it according to the Opposing PDM Party.

In a strongly worded press release, Edwin Astwood, Leader of the Opposition said not only did the Government take praise for the review that led to the Crown Land (Amendments) Bill and the Crown Land (Residential Conditional Purchase Lease), (Arrears and Mesne Profit), (Amnesty) Bill, which were created contributory efforts aided by the PDM and others; they refused to add several caveats that could have protected islanders from being priced out of their land.

“If one were to visit any of the real estate websites one would notice, for example, that the average price for residential land in Providenciales is between $100,000- $200,000, and in Grand Turk, the average price is $60,000 -$120,000.  Given a 50% discount, the average cost price would be $75,000, and $45,000 and paying this over a two-year period our people would have to let go of $3,125 and $1,875 each month respectively.” he explained.

To avert this and other crises Astwood said the Opposition had proposed:

• A 75 percent islander discount instead of 50 percent.
• Consideration for persons who had left the country in the last few years and had a CPL to also be able to benefit from the options in the Bills.
• For the executor or administrator of a deceased person’s estate to be able to apply to the Crown Land Unit to purchase the freehold even if it was not being used as the primary residence of the deceased.

Astwood said they were unsuccessful in their appeal to the Government which would be to the detriment of residents.

“Sadly, we were not able to convince the PNP Government’s Premier, Ministers, and MPs to allow these additional and enhanced benefits to the people.  Instead, they were simply excited to say “we did it” and celebrate two bills that sound good on the outside but have not gone far enough in addressing the issues concerning our people and crown land,” he claimed.

Astwood once again slammed the PNP Administration as ‘disconnected’ from residents claiming, “those who know and those who will feel will not celebrate.”