Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment Natural Resources and Climate Change Mr. Ronald Smith-Berkeley, led an eight member team to Anegada last week to finalise matters regarding the distribution of lands to qualified persons.

Mr. Smith-Berkeley and his team met with members of the Anegada Lands committee in what he said was a ‘productive and progressive meeting’.

Mr. Smith- Berkeley said, “We are hopeful that at the end of this calendar year, working in collaboration with Anegada residents, that they are able to get deeds to their lands.”

Mr. Smith-Berkeley further stated, “The visit to Anegada and the interactions with residents highlighted the urgency of the needs of local Anegadians who wish to receive their deeds, and we are committed to making that happen."

The delegation along with members from the committee also visited areas of concern on Anegada and received an assessment in relation to road infrastructure, water and electricity in the subdivisions.

Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change with focus on Crown lands, Mrs. Heather Skelton said the subject of land ownership is a long-standing issue and that she is happy to see that through collaboration from both sides, significant progress is being made not only in terms of land title for the Anegadians but also public infrastructure to support the subdivisions.

Mrs. Skelton said, “Anegada is one of our priority areas for the remainder of the Calendar year. In 2024, we are hoping to equally focus on road infrastructure for the other Government subdivisions in Spooners and Nibbs Estates and the sister island of Virgin Gorda to make lands more accessible to Virgin Islanders.”

 The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change envisions sound stewardship of the lands of the Virgin Islands, along with its natural resources by implementing a robust legal framework that fosters environmentally-friendly best management practices.