Prime Minister Ingraham addresses Crown land controversy

Nassau, Bahamas - Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Hubert Ingraham, has denied “spurious suggestion” that his administration at any time sought to provide party supporters with access to Crown land "at concessionary prices with the intent that such land would be on-sold or ‘flipped’ at a significantly higher price thereafter.”

“The record of my Government in two terms in office between 1992 and 2002 and in this present term will demonstrate one thing as regards our administration of Crown Land – a firm commitment to increase the number of ordinary Bahamians able to access, gain fee simple title for, and develop Crown land,” the Prime Minister said.

He was responding to questions put to the Government relating to Crown land by the opposition Member of Parliament for Fox Hill, Fred Mitchell, in the House of Assembly, July 20.

“The (Free National Movement administration) is proud of its record of working to right the wrongs perpetrated against the people of The Bahamas as regards the administration and disposition of Crown lands,” Mr Ingraham said.  “It has never been this Government’s policy to support profiteering.

“Hence, I share the disquiet concern expressed by some Honourable Members (of the House of Assembly) following upon the revelation that five parcels of Crown land at Forbes Hill, Exuma were granted to the relatives and friends of the former Director of Lands and Surveys (I Tex Turnquest), four parcels of which were resold in relatively short order and an astronomical profit to international persons,” the Prime Minister said.

He said he was advised in each case that the property was sold in its natural, undeveloped state, "for which may be termed an indecent profit”.

“The approval for the grant of these parcels was given by me sometime during 2001,” he explained.  “The applicants were presented as being made by Bahamian citizens interested in acquiring land in Exuma on which to construct vacation and retirement homes.”

This would have been in keeping with usual policy, he explained.

The Prime Minister subsequently signed four of the Crown Grants – two on June 6, 2001, another on August 16, 2001, and a fourth March 18, 2002.

The now Leader of the Opposition the Hon Perry Christie signed the fifth Grant when he served as Minister responsible for Crown land, January 27, 2003, Mr. Ingraham said.

A Permit and Registration Certificate pursuant to the International Persons Landholding Act connected to the sale of three of these properties were issued by the Investments Board in July 2005 and November 2006 during the tenure in office of the now opposition Progressive Liberal Party, he said.

“Another application made in August, 2006 for a Certificate of Registration remains outstanding because the Investments Board has not been satisfied that all requirements have been met.

“No application has been made to date with respect to the sale of the fifth parcel to an international person,” Mr Ingraham explained.

“Available evidence suggests that the grant of these lands resulted from the misapplication of Government’s policy regarding the grant of Crown land to Bahamians at concessionary rates for the construction of dwelling homes, whether was primary residences, or vacation or retirement homes.”

He said he regretted that the matter has “besmirched” what had been up to that time a “distinguished public service career of the former Director of Lands and Surveys."