In a firm stance on the changes to Barbados Physical Development Plan, Deputy President of the Senate Elizabeth Thompson has declared she will not be part of any trampling over individuals’ land rights.
“You cannot just take up people’s lands,” she insisted as she made clear that land has value and Barbadians who have not historically been landowners “must have land, access to it and ownership of it”.
Asserting that the appropriation of people’s lands is unacceptable, Thompson underscored the importance of providing land access and ownership to Barbadians, especially those who have not historically owned land. She emphasised the value of land as an asset.
She said: “There are people who can use that land as security. There are people who will pass it on to children and grandchildren. There are people who may farm it for a while, and, whether it is animal farming, animal husbandry or crop farming, they send to school children and they may stop after the children reach a certain age.
“I’m not going to be part of any call, just because somebody has bush growing on their land, that you are to take it from them because it is not being productive,” Thompson added, acknowledging that vacant properties may result from family conflicts or estate-related issues.
Drawing from her experience as a former minister of housing, she proposed revisiting a previously developed idea.
“Where the intention was to speak to persons who had vacant properties, could not afford to redevelop them and ask them to put them into a rental pool so that people on the NHC [National Housing Corporation] list could have access to these properties and then a payment arrangement for government’s refurbishment and upgrading of the properties were supposed to be worked out.
“That has never come to fruition although I think it is still a good and viable option for those who have lands that they cannot afford to redevelop,” Thompson said.
Addressing concerns about the border issues in physical development planning, the deputy president of the Senate called for a national conversation to ensure that the plan aligns with Barbados’ social and economic interests.
Thompson emphasised the need for the plan to promote social equity and justice, aiming to secure a future where Barbadians feel invested and assured of their place in the country for generations to come.
(SD)
