The controversial Crown Lands Management Bill is before the House of Assembly (HoA) today, May 30, 2024, as the debate continues. Today is the continuation of the 11th Sitting of the 1st Session of the 5th HoA. Photo: VINO/File

Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) said the Crown Lands Management Bill aims to strengthen the administration and stewardship of public lands in the Territory. Photo: GIS/File

Leader of the Opposition Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) has already slammed the bill, saying it has been forced on the Legislature to satisfy the Commission of Inquiry’s recommendations. Hon Skelton opined that the bill has shut out the Cabinet and the HoA in a deliberate attempt to prevent “the people who are elected from having a say in crown land distributions”.

Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5), who is Acting Premier until today May 30, 2024, brought the Bill to the HoA on behalf of Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7).

Opposition concerns will be addressed in committee-Rymer

Hon Rymer told parliamentarians that the objective of the bill is to strengthen the administration and stewardship of public lands in the Territory. He said the bill also mandated the establishment of a land bank.

Despite the Opposition's criticism, Hon Rymer noted that all the issues raised thus far in the debate will be discussed and clarified in the committee stage.

The sitting is expected to be aired LIVE on House of Assembly VI Youtube; House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands Facebook; 780 AM ZBVI Radio; CBN-Radio (90.9 FM); FLOW TV Channel 101; and CCT TV Channel 291.

Meanwhile, both Premier Wheatley and Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) are expected to return today from Antigua and Barbuda where they attended the important United Nations Small Island Development States meeting on climate change and funding issues.