Madame Speaker, lands have always been central to the economic and social development of the Virgin Islands.  Ownership of our land has enabled greater prosperity and opportunities for homeownership, commercial development and recreation to name a few.

Madame Speaker, I am pleased to share recent advancements in ensuring greater awareness of the availability of lands for first-time land and property owners, as well as those who are seeking to increase their stake in the economic and social development of our beautiful islands. 

Stakeholders of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour and the public are notified that effective Wednesday, September 21, all proposed sales of Non-Belonger Land Holding License properties must be advertised on the Government’s website at bvi.gov.vg/nblhl. 

Persons who are desirous of purchasing lands and property in the Virgin Islands will now have the information they need readily available following a change in the present policy.

Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Honourable Melvin Turnbull, Acting Permanent Secretary Mr. Joseph Smith-Abbott and Reviewer Mr. David Abednego are featured as they held their first meeting in relation to the Commission of Inquiry’s Recommendation B30 on the disposal of Crown Lands.

The public is reminded that the Long Bay, Beef Island Survey closes on Saturday, April 30 and participation is still needed in the exercise.

The public is notified that the Long Bay, Beef Island Beach Management Plan community meetings have been postponed.

The Government of the Virgin Islands has successfully negotiated to make lands available for the separation of the Bregado Flax Educational Centre primary and secondary division.

The public is reminded that only land claim applications for Anegada that have been vetted and advanced as recommendations by the Anegada Advisory Lands Committee (AALC) for land allocations will be honoured by the Ministry of Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration.

The Land and Marine Estate Policy will serve as the framework to resolve the issues of land distribution and the claims of ancestral lands in Anegada.