Six Men’s folk told land ownership delay ‘will end’

Fifty years on, the residents of Six Men’s, St Peter are still pleading with the government for the legal rights to the land on which they live. And Prime Minister Mia Mottley has given an assurance that this time, the government she leads will be the last they will have to approach.

She acknowledged that it is not an easy fix involving the 200 residents in the close-knit fishing village but her administration is still working on the decades-old problem that has confronted previous governments.

“The big issue in Six Men’s has to be the resolution of the land issue,” she told the St Peter Speaks town hall meeting at The Alexandra School. “Rest assured that some things take a little longer than others but  in no way is our commitment diminished in resolving this wrong thing to make it right.”

The point was initially raised by former long-time resident Frank Gilkes who asked ministers to help them ease the feeling of abandonment among Six Men’s residents and fix a range of issues, including the encroaching sea and poor vending facilities.

Another resident, Rosanne Busby, also addressed the issue of settling the land ownership and asked the officials why it was taking so long.

Mottley explained that the government has tried to have discussions on the outstanding issue which has also been in the courts.

Frank Gilkes, St Peter Resident.

“Our view was to try to get a settlement without prejudice to anything. That is still our view but a settlement has to be something that meets the satisfaction of both parties. I am not going to get into it because I have not been part of the discussion,” she added. “At the end of the day to get a successful negotiation you need both sides, if not then the court has to decide and it’s been before the court for decades, regrettably.”

On the issue of climate change and beach erosion, Barbados has “six to seven years” of beach work to do across the entire country, she said.

She traced the outstanding work to a wide range of public policy issues being held up while the country tackled an enormous debt burden.

“Our major priorities now, for the first time since coming to office, we are getting the opportunity to deal with education and health in a serious way,” the prime minister said. “The first 19 months of this government were spent dealing with debt restructuring because Barbados was the third most indebted country in the world.

“When the debt restructuring finished in December 2019….COVID. And we spent the better part of three years dealing with that.”

Rosanne Busby, St Peter Resident.

“It is not easy.”

She said land ownership issues in the Belle, Bellevue and Bayley’s Alley were also being addressed and that Six Men’s will not be left out.

Gilkes also asked for the administration’s assistance with building out the village to complement the economic activity that now exists with a variety of eating spots and entertainment activities.

He said: “I am aware of the several attempts by government to bring closure to this situation. But the residents of Six Men’s have held faith for a very long time and need to hear from government what plans there are for Six Men’s in making sure that they have security of tenure so that those who wish to, can effect further improvements to their homes.”

Gilkes also spoke of plans for a Six Men’s Fisherman’s Day in June and an even larger activity next year. (SP)