THIS IS TRUE PEOPLES REPRESENTATION BY ADRIAN THOMAS. Adrian Thomas 9 hrs · November 5, 2014 Honourable Oliver Joseph, Parliamentary Representative ST. DAVID Dear Sir, I write to you in my capacity as the Caretaker for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Constituency of St. David. This letter is directed to you as the Parliamentary Representative (MP) for the constituency. It is the first of many that will follow in due course on various issues of concern. It is not my intention to bother you as the Parliamentary Representative of St. David. In all fairness, I think it would have been appropriate to allow you a two-year probationary period since you are a new recruit in the world of politics. However, my conscience dictates that I write this letter before the end of the period. Perhaps, if this was a matter between you and I, there would not have been that sense of urgency in putting pen to paper, but it is all about the people of St. David in particular and Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique in general, and even more, the farmers of this country. It has been brought to my attention that approximately twenty five (25) mature and bearing cocoa trees at Laura Estate have been destroyed presumably to accommodate a dwelling house. I have been further advised that the spot has been “given” to a known NNP activist. I was indeed shocked to learn that this intrusion on state lands was done outside of the norms of existing procedures used to regulate the transfer of such property. I was further advised that the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and the Director of Lands and Survey were unaware of this development. It begs the question as to who gave permission to this incursion unto the lands of a government estate. This development can be considered to be reckless and is indeed a regressive action against efforts to develop the estate. What is worse is that Laura estate is a prime cocoa growing estate and with the advent of two chocolate factories and record world prices, I fail to see how a responsible government can condone such actions. There is an existing allegation that the Hon. Minister of Communication and Works “approved” this incursion unto state property in collaboration with Laura Estate management. I humbly suggest that this matter should be clarified so that the truth can be established. I also call on you to investigate the matter urgently and stop the establishment/beginning of a housing scheme on a productive agricultural estate that has the potential to grow. It is not my intention to lecture on the importance of agriculture in the resuscitation of the local economy, but a forward looking land use plan will no doubt be useful in establishing viable policies as it relates to lands identified for housing and what is reserved for agriculture. The National Democratic Congress does not oppose the sale or transfer of state lands for housing purposes but it must be conducted in a way that respects existing regulations and must be transparent. To do otherwise will provide solid grounds to accuse the government of being an unworthy trustee of the public interest. I anticipate that the subject matter of this correspondence will be address at your earliest convenience. Yours Truly Adrian Thomas ……………………………… Adrian ‘Persuader’ Thomas NB: This letter has been copied to the following personnel and organisations … Cc: Minister of Agriculture, Lands and Forestry Grenada Farmers Association Grenada Cocoa Association The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture Keith Clouden, Farmers Representative in the Senate The media
Posted on: Sat, 08 Nov 2014 11:15:37 +0000
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