Stevens Land Project Debated at Community Meeting

Former Legislator, Mr. Terrance B Lettsome has asked the Chief Minister and members of his cabinet to reconsider the Stevens land project. This  request was made at the East End/Long Look community meeting on 10 March. Mr. Lettsome explained that many people prefer to build their own home and since Government was proposing to build the houses and give them to the people he didn’t think that the plan was such a good one.

Mr. Lettsome pointed out that it would be better if Government assisted in the procuring of finance  for the people to build their own homes.

The issue of the distribution of the plots of land was also raised by Mr. Lettsome, as he pointed out that Government  should complete more roads and provide more plots.

Minister of Natural Resources and Labour Hon. J. Alvin Christopher said that persons who were awarded lots at Stevens Estate are now in the process of receiving title to their land. He explained that the only problem people might find is that the process has changed to give first time owners top priority. He announced that the roads will be completed and more plots will be awarded in the near future.

Government-owned Stevens Estate is located in  Long Look.  Initially a total of 45 acres of land was acquired by Government. 42 acres was purchased and the other three acres were given to Government as a gift.

The  purchase price of the 42 acres was $714,000, and the payment  was made over a period of five years with an initial payment of $150,000 in 1990 and the balance in four equal installments during 1991, 1992,1993 and 1994, but the fourth and final installment was made on May 17, 2003. The gift of three acres will be used by Government as a public park named the Ivor Stevens Memorial Park. The acquisition of an additional 9 acres of land at  Long Look was approved by Executive Council in 1987.