Bath folk toast land title handover after decades-long wait

It took more than 25 years, countless government forms, and, in some cases, the passing of loved ones who never lived to see the fruits of legislation passed nearly 45 years ago, but for 29 residents of Bath, St John, Friday marked the day they finally became landowners.

At a presentation ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Housing, Lands and Maintenance at the Victory Wesleyan Holiness Church, residents were handed legal conveyances for the lots they have occupied, in some cases, for decades.

The initiative forms part of the government’s wider effort to regularise long-established tenants across Barbados under the Tenantries Freehold Purchase Act of 1980.

“We’ve been waiting from 1997. I would have sent in all the necessary information and so forth. It was a really long process . . . over 25 years I’ve been waiting,” one recipient said. “My mother died waiting on this.”

Another resident recalled multiple threats to their dwelling during the long wait: “We had several close calls and scares.

“People came with letters saying we had to move off . . . . One even threatened to come and push us off with a tractor. Some residents protested—the older generation they formed blockades.”

Minister of Housing, Lands and Maintenance Dwight Sutherland acknowledged the delays and praised residents for their patience and perseverance.

He said 111 of the 115 lots in Bath have now been processed, with the final four expected to be issued within the next four weeks once outstanding surveying issues are resolved.

“I’m grateful to return to your hometown and bring you your title documents under this wonderful tenantries programme,” Sutherland said. “Land ownership is one of the most valuable assets a person can have. It gives people a sense of security, the ability to pass on something to their children, and to build wealth.”

He traced the significance of Friday’s handover back to the landmark legislation, which came into force on November 1, 1980, which first allowed residents on plantation tenantries to purchase land at ten cents per square foot.

That law, he said, began the process of reversing a colonial legacy in which predominantly Black working-class families paid rent to plantation owners but had no ownership rights.

“The plantation had the power, and Black people rented from the plantation. This piece of legislation was the most powerful ever enacted by a government in 1980. It gave 6 000 people a shot at ownership.”

He added that in 2001, the act was amended to include non-plantation tenantries, allowing residents who had lived on the land for at least five years to purchase lots at $2.50 per square foot, with the state paying the difference between that and the market value.

Since 2018, he said, the government has empowered 1 112 residents across 145 tenantries, investing $5.8m in surveys and subsidies to complete the process.

MP for St John Charles Griffith, who began advocating for Bath residents while serving as a housing minister, said the day marked the fulfilment of a promise.

“I remember how challenging it was when I first started. There were people in the community who were not recognised,” he said. “I told myself I would make sure this happened and to stand here now and see people officially become landowners, it really is one of the highlights of my political career.”

The residents, many of whom have lived in Bath for more than 20 years, described the moment as emotional, not for pageantry, but for the closure and peace of mind it brings.

“It’s a big day,” said Jonathon Ward, who thanked both the MP and the government. “He made a promise and I waited patiently. It was a long wait but patience is a virtue. Now it’s a guarantee that my family will be able to carry on without any problems. Having a title deed is very important.”

Sonia Mayers-Weekes, another recipient, called it “a good feeling”.

She had lived on her lot for about 20 years.

“It was a long wait, not knowing what would be the outcome, but Charles assured us it would be taken care of and he came through,” she said.

“The deed means security, comfort . . . not having to wonder and worry. My daughter, my grandson, my husband . . . everybody can feel secure.”

Father of five, Kelvin Howell, who also waited for more than two decades, said he always had faith.

“I feel amazing. It’s been a little while, but finally it’s in my hands. My family will be comfortable now.”

Not everyone felt celebratory. Isaac Stoute, who had been waiting about 15 years, described the moment as more of a quiet relief.

“There’s no excitement in it. We’ve waited so long. . . it’s just for them to call your name, sign the papers and you go along through the door.”

Still, many agreed it was a turning point.

“I believe we shouldn’t have waited so long,” said another resident.

“But I’m thankful. I feel privileged. Foreigners have come and bought a piece of the rock, and they didn’t have to wait 27 years, but everything was in God’s timing. I’m grateful.” (SM)