After nearly 40 years of uncertainty, residents of River Bay, St. Lucy, including seven elderly pensioners, will finally receive legal title to the land they have called home for generations. This historic change comes as part of a new government resolution introduced in Parliament on Tuesday, aimed at transferring ownership to eligible tenants. The resolution, spearheaded by Housing Minister Christopher Gibbs, marks his first legislative initiative since assuming the housing portfolio in September. It involves the transfer of over three acres of state-owned land to the National Housing Corporation for sale and distribution under the Tenantries Freehold Purchase Act. Minister Gibbs emphasized that this resolution, enacted under Section 5 of the Crown Lands Vesting and Disposal Act, is a key component of the government’s broader mission to empower Barbadians who have lived on tenantries without legal ownership. “Land ownership is transformative,” Gibbs stated. “It provides dignity, social justice, and the opportunity to build wealth and stability for families.” The 21 River Bay lots were professionally surveyed in 2021, with ten already occupied and approved for sale. Seven elderly pensioners will receive their lots free of cost, while the remaining three occupants will purchase at the statutory price of $2.50 per square foot. The remaining 11 lots will be subdivided for future housing development. Gibbs described the resolution as a tangible step toward fulfilling the government’s social contract, emphasizing its significance beyond legal formalities. “This is about correcting historical inequities and delivering justice to those who have contributed to their communities for decades,” he said. MP for St. Lucy, Peter Phillips, expressed deep gratitude to Gibbs and former Housing Minister Dwight Sutherland for their efforts. “This resolution ensures that the people of River Bay finally have a piece of the rock,” Phillips remarked. The initiative is part of a long-standing policy of economic enfranchisement through land ownership, first introduced under the 1980 Tenantries Freehold Purchase Act. Gibbs also highlighted ongoing efforts to regularize land tenure across Barbados, including recent conveyances in Bath, St. John, and Six Men’s, St. Peter. Additionally, plans are underway to empower small business owners through land ownership, such as at the Parkinson Business Centre, where tenants will soon receive titles to secure their businesses.
St Lucy residents finally secure title to family lands after decades of waiting
