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Controversial Crown Lands Bill passed in HoA after nearly 3 weeks in committee

An Opposition Member has accused Britain of trying to weaken the elected politicians and putting land decisions in the hands of civil servants as another way for the Governor to control Crown lands. Photo: VINO/File
Leader of the Opposition Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) has accused the authors of the Land Bill (before the amendments) of trying to make it harder for locals to get lands. Photo: YouTube
Leader of the Opposition Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) has accused the authors of the Land Bill (before the amendments) of trying to make it harder for locals to get lands. Photo: YouTube
House of Assembly (HoA) Members are expected to pay tributes to late legislator and Attorney Vernon E. Malone today, June 18, 2024. Photo: Team of Reporters
House of Assembly (HoA) Members are expected to pay tributes to late legislator and Attorney Vernon E. Malone today, June 18, 2024. Photo: Team of Reporters
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The long-awaited but controversial Crown Lands Management Bill 2024 passed in the House of Assembly (HoA) last night, Monday, June 17, 2024.

The members were in a committee of the whole house for almost three weeks because many elected representatives believed the bill was a way for the United Kingdom to take lands from the people under the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) recommendations.

Elected members fought for the people

The Leader of the Opposition, Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton (AL), accused the authors of the Land Bill (before the amendments) of trying to make it harder for locals to get lands.

The CoI wanted everyone to have equal access to lands in the Territory, including ancestral lands on Anegada, Nibbs Estate, Spooner's Estate, Salt Island and Nottingham Estate; however, this was rejected by the elected Members of the House.

One Opposition Member also accused the British of trying to weaken the elected politicians and putting land decisions in the hands of civil servants as another way for the Governor to control Crown lands.

Late Vernon E. Malone

Meanwhile, the HoA will continue today, with the 11th Sitting of the 1st Session of the 5th HoA at noon.

HoA Members are expected to pay tributes to late legislator and Attorney Vernon E. Malone. The first local Police Commissioner, Malone, will lie in state at the HoA on Thursday, June 20, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

The official funeral will be held at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex in Road Town, the capital city, from 9:00 AM with a pre-service and 10:00 AM with the official funeral service.

8 Responses to “Controversial Crown Lands Bill passed in HoA after nearly 3 weeks in committee”

  • all ah we (18/06/2024, 11:56) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lets hope that everything is in our favor
  • Concerned (18/06/2024, 11:58) Like (14) Dislike (4) Reply
    "The CoI wanted everyone to have equal access to lands in the Territory, including ancestral lands on Anegada, Nibbs Estate, Spooner's Estate, Salt Island and Nottingham Estate; however, this was rejected by the elected Members of the House.
    One Opposition Member also accused the British of trying to weaken the elected politicians and putting land decisions in the hands of civil servants as another way for the Governor to control Crown lands."
    We do not trust the elected Members of the House and believe the COI to be the correct approach that will allow for everyone to have equal access to lands in the Territory, including ancestral lands on Anegada, Nibbs Estate, Spooner's Estate, Salt Island and Nottingham Estate
    • @ concerned (18/06/2024, 19:32) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
      vino keep telling the truth and calling out wrong that is why we will always support facts over lies LONG LIVE VINO
  • How ayo does lie so? (18/06/2024, 13:49) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
    The COI didn't say anything about people having equal access to land. It stated that the Ministers had full access to who got land and who didn't, nor was their any clear framework of the process to attain lands! Stop telling the people half truths!

    The Report form the COI into Lands stated that the Ancestral lands be protected and a framework be created for and by the people! NATALIO is who had the Bill drafted to make he the sole person in control over lands and wanted the people lands!

    How ayo does lie so?
  • rastafari (18/06/2024, 14:11) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lol
  • Xxx (19/06/2024, 07:19) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    did anyone saw cray girl fake news saying the HOA voted to removed ancestral lands? Nothing tall go so!!! the puppy has serious mental issues, she is crying out for help
  • Apathy (19/06/2024, 08:38) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    These guys gave land to themselves and they friends...Now they pay a law to say this OK when someone tell on them.
    Just more of the same foolishness.
  • Anonymous (19/06/2024, 20:38) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Cayman Islands Ministry asks people to weigh in on PlanCayman, again

    It would really be nice if the Virgin Islands could do the same and build Affordable condos, apartments or homes on Crown Land for the lower and middle income people

    https://caymannewsservice.com/2023/12/ministry-asks-people-to-weigh-in-on-plancayman-again/

    In the Cayman Islanda, suggestions was made for re-development of Dog City and the condemed Randyke Gardens Apartments, in-addition to the Affordable Housing property that was built next to the Cox Lumber Store by Dog City, where the first Affordable Homes were initially built, could be re-developed possibly knocking down the existing homes and building Multi-Store Apartments or Condo complexes on multiple floors to provide existing home owners and there families an apartment or condo and selling the other affordable apartments or condos to low and middle income Caymanians to repay the cost to build them

    New Multi-Store Affordable Apartments or Condos could have a pool or pools and possibly other amenities like:

    A Gym
    Net Ball Courts
    Basketball Courts
    Squash Room(s)
    5-A Side Football

    Monthly Strata Payments are part of the expenses in owning an Apartment or Condo and so is Building(s) and Yard Maintance, in-addition to Home and Life Insurance

    Home and Life Insurance is a bank requirement for a bank mortgage and are usually included and paid monthly by making Monthly Strata Payments

    If Cayman Islands Government Builders & Developers "PWD" Public Works Department, "CINICO" Cayman Islands National Insurance Company & the "CIDB" Cayman Islands Development Bank could engage themselves into a mutual agreement to build Affordable Apartments/Condos for Caymanians at cost, that would only include the cost of building materials and labor, eliminating the regulor construction contractors builders profits; and selling these apartments or condos at the building cost, hundreds of Caymanians would be able to own there own home, apartment or condo with a viriety of sporting athletic activities, an Affordable Day Care Center(s) with an after school home work Child Care Center

    These Multi-Store Affordable Apartments / Condos could be built in each district in the Cayman Islands of:

    George Town
    Bodden Town
    North Side
    East End
    West Bay &
    Cayman Brac

    for low and middle income Caymanians earning less than $2,000 or $3,000 per month

    These Multi-Family Affordable Apartments / Condos could also include a covered seating Food Court(s) like what is in the US Malls with Multiple Food Vendors selling local food like Turtle, Oxtail, Conch etc.... to Chicken n Chips and Jerk Chicken for Caymanian families may have a comfortable mixed use living development to live in

    A proper Day Care and an After School Home Work Child Care Study Area/Center ran by our government with three or four retired teachers that could assist or help Kids-At-Risk or our At-Risk-Youth

    Single Parent(s)

    Affordable Studio One Bedroom Apartments / Condos built by our Government Developers PWD, CINICO & CIDB and sold at the building cost of materials and labor only

    One Bed Room / Two Baths
    400□

    Kitchen / Dining & Living
    400□

    20' * 40' = 800□ @ $85□

    40 yr Mortgage - $68,000

    Interest Rate 6%

    Appx Monthly Pmt $425

    Monthly Strata appx $300

    Single Parent(s)

    Two Bedroom Apartments / Condos built by our Government Developers PWD, CINICO & CIDB and sold at the building cost of materials and labor

    Two Bed Room / Two Baths
    525□

    Kitchen / Dining & Living
    525□

    35' * 30' = 1050□ @ $85□

    40 yr Mortgage - $89,250

    Interest Rate 6%

    Appx Monthly Pmt $471

    Monthly Strata appx $300

    In-addition to proper After School Programs in each Multi-Family Complex could also offer Summer & Christmas Child Care Programs with PWD Maintaince Staff providing a Public/Private Partnership with the Government to maintain the apartments or condo premises


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