Jaspert ‘Had A Problem Signing Lands For Locals’ – Natural Resources Minister
Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration Hon. Vincent Wheatley said former Governor Augustus Jaspert who launched the ongoing Commission of Inquiry (CoI), was in no hurry to facilitate the land distribution process for locals.
Hon. Wheatley’s comments were made on Thursday, October 14, while he was giving evidence to the CoI on the topic of lands.
He explained that during the former Governor’s tenure, he would request multiple documents when he is given land documents to sign off on, which delayed the process by several months.
“I couldn’t understand why asking for document after document after document, and it was very clear what those guidelines were for awarding those lands. The only conclusion I could see is he didn’t want to sign them; he had a problem in signing lands for locals. We came into office campaigning on giving locals land,” Wheatley said.
Commissioner Sir Gary Hickinbottom responded that what Jaspert was asking for in a few correspondents to the said minister in a letter dated November 16, 2020, were comprehensive guidelines for the process, including valuation reports.
Wheatley replied: “Those areas had guidelines… I don’t need the Governor to tell me we need guidelines for lands. I expected to meet guidelines when I came in, there were none, and we started working on guidelines right away. Lands are a very complex matter to deal with … we have a limited land mass. We don’t have an infinite amount of lands, and it is something that we are working through very, very carefully.”
Wheatley continued: “The reason being, we have limited land. We always have a lot more applications than property. All guidelines do, in this case is eliminate persons. Because you have 10 pieces of Crown land and a thousand applications, we have to eliminate persons."
He went on to state, "I see those guidelines as eliminating our people. It will do more harm than good if you take it too far. Yes, there should be guidelines, there should be transparency, I am all for that. Valuations are useful so that you know what you are giving out.”
Presently one of the main pre-conditions for applying for Crown land is the applicant must be a belonger.
Nonetheless, the minister said, strides are being made to create guidelines for Crown land distribution.
He explained that during the former Governor’s tenure, he would request multiple documents when he is given land documents to sign off on, which delayed the process by several months.
“I couldn’t understand why asking for document after document after document, and it was very clear what those guidelines were for awarding those lands. The only conclusion I could see is he didn’t want to sign them; he had a problem in signing lands for locals. We came into office campaigning on giving locals land,” Wheatley said.
Commissioner Sir Gary Hickinbottom responded that what Jaspert was asking for in a few correspondents to the said minister in a letter dated November 16, 2020, were comprehensive guidelines for the process, including valuation reports.
Wheatley replied: “Those areas had guidelines… I don’t need the Governor to tell me we need guidelines for lands. I expected to meet guidelines when I came in, there were none, and we started working on guidelines right away. Lands are a very complex matter to deal with … we have a limited land mass. We don’t have an infinite amount of lands, and it is something that we are working through very, very carefully.”
Wheatley continued: “The reason being, we have limited land. We always have a lot more applications than property. All guidelines do, in this case is eliminate persons. Because you have 10 pieces of Crown land and a thousand applications, we have to eliminate persons."
He went on to state, "I see those guidelines as eliminating our people. It will do more harm than good if you take it too far. Yes, there should be guidelines, there should be transparency, I am all for that. Valuations are useful so that you know what you are giving out.”
Presently one of the main pre-conditions for applying for Crown land is the applicant must be a belonger.
Nonetheless, the minister said, strides are being made to create guidelines for Crown land distribution.
